Judge orders mental fitness evaluation for Clayton teen facing three first-degree murder counts

February 22, 2024 | By David Adam, MRN Editor

Wyond Bynum Jr. walks toward his attorney, Victor Smith, under the watchful eye of three Adams County bailiffs before his status hearing Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court. | David Adam

QUINCY — An Adams County judge has ordered a mental fitness evaluation of a Clayton teen facing three counts of first-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of a Camp Point man.

Wyond L. Bynum, Jr., 18, appeared with St. Louis-based attorney Victor Smith before Judge Robert Adrian in Adams County Circuit Court on Wednesday. The brief hearing started with Smith referring to a motion he filed on Jan. 10 for a mental fitness evaluation of his client to be completed.

Assistant State’s Attorney Josh Jones recommended Dr. Frank Froman of Quincy to evaluate Bynum. Smith asked for a 60-day continuance to allow Froman to complete his report. Adrian set April 24 for a status hearing.

Bynum was indicted Sept. 7 by an Adams County grand jury, which found Bynum guilty of three counts of first-degree murder. One count says Bynum shot Rowland with the intent to kill him. One count says Bynum shot Jaycob K. Rowland with the intent to cause great bodily harm. The final count says Bynum shot Rowland “knowing that such acts created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm.”

All three counts are Class M felonies.

Bynum pled not guilty to the charges on Sept. 20. The sentencing range for his crimes normally would be between 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if he were found guilty. However, because of a 25-year enhancement for using a firearm, Bynum could be sentenced to between 45 years and natural life in the DOC. Bynum also would have to serve 100 percent of any sentence that is not natural life.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reported the shooting took place between 12:30 and 12:40 a.m. on Aug. 14 in the street in front of a residence at 505 West Jefferson in Camp Point. Deputies arrested three men at first. They later released two men — friends of Rowland — who brought the body to the Adams County EMS station in Camp Point. The murder weapon was recovered in the West Jefferson residence.

Bynum remains lodged in the Adams County Jail.

Adams County Circuit Court Frank Froman Josh Jones Robert Adrian Victor Smith Wyond Bynum Jr.