Quincy man charged with first-degree murder facing November trial

QUINCY — A November trial has been set in the case of Devere S. Gholston, who has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the February death of Robert Schmidt in his home.

Gholston, 27, appeared in Adams County Circuit court on Wednesday afternoon with public defender John Citro before Judge Amy Lannerd. 

Gholston and Hayden Schmidt, 15, were arrested and charged with the beating death of Robert Schmidt, 67, on Feb. 17 at his home at 3219 Gross Gables. 

Gholston faces between 35 years and 75 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if he is found guilty on any of the murder counts. He also faces a charge of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony, and a charge of robbery, a Class 2 felony.  He could receive between four and 15 years in prison on the burglary charge, and he could receive between three and seven years in prison on the robbery charge.

The decision to try Schmidt as an adult was made in July by Judge John Wooleyhan during an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution hearing in juvenile court. He also faces three counts of first-degree murder, a charge of residential burglary and a charge of robbery.

Gholston remains in the Adams County Jail on $10 million bond. Schmidt is being held in the Adams County Juvenile Detention Center on $10 million bond.