First-degree murder trial for Quincy man charged in December 2023 shooting stays on December docket

QUINCY — The trial for a Quincy man facing a charge of first-degree murder remains on the December jury docket.

Victor A. Weems III, 20, appeared Tuesday morning for a status hearing in Adams County Circuit Court before Circuit Judge Tad Brenner. He was represented by Matt Wayman with the Hammer Law Firm in St. Louis.

During Weems’ last appearance in court on Sept. 3, Brenner set the week of Dec. 16 for the trial on the first-degree murder charge. Brenner sent an Oct. 7 letter to Wayman and to First Assistant State’s Attorney Todd Eyler with a checklist of items he wanted to cover during Tuesday’s hearing.

“I have reviewed the letter that you sent and we are prepared to discuss absolutely anything in here,” Wayman said. “We have not come to an agreement with the state as far as a plea agreement yet, so we would at this point say we are ready for trial.”

Brenner confirmed that the trial is expected to last five days. He also learned from Wayman and Eyler that no discovery or witness problems are expected. Weems’ next appearance in court is a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Dec. 6.

Weems was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle in the May 2023 shooting death of 47-year-old Dana Lawton, who was shot in the head while sitting on the front porch of Pam Droege’s 1112 Jefferson home. 

Weems was involved in an altercation near 12th and Jefferson and allegedly fired a shot during the incident. The bullet traveled more than a block and struck Lawton. 

The first-degree charge in a Class M felony and carries a possible sentence of 45 years to natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections if Weems is found guilty by a jury. A Class M felony typically would have a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years, but Weems’ charge has a 25-year added enhancement since a firearm was used in the murder. Weems would have to serve 100 percent of his sentence.

The aggravated discharge at an occupied vehicle charge carries a possible sentence of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if Weems is found guilty by a jury.

Public Defender John Citro is representing Weems on six other felony charges. Weems was arrested Jan. 1 during a raid at an apartment complex at 3100 State. 

Weems is facing the following charges that were filed on Jan. 3, 2023, in connection with a Dec. 13, 2022, incident:

• Obstruction of justice/destroying evidence, a Class 4 felony, for allegedly furnishing false identification to a Quincy Police officer, telling him his name was Josh Berry.
• Causing a child to be endangered, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly fleeing a traffic stop at a high rate of speed and, in doing so, crossing traffic lanes and entering the opposite shoulder of his driving lane and disregarding a traffic control device at the intersection of Fourth and Maine — all with a child less than 18 years of age in the vehicle.

Weems is facing the following charges that were filed on March 30, 2023, in connection with a March 29, 2023, incident in the home of Cassandra Taylor in the 900 block of Country Club Heights:

• Home invasion/cause injury, a Class X felony;
• Aggravated battery to a pregnant person, a Class 3 felony;
• Criminal damage to property of more than $500 but less than $10,000, a Class 4 felony;

Weems is facing the following charges that were filed on May 24, 2023, in connection with a May 16, 2023, incident involving his possession of a 2012 Mercedes ML 350:

• Receiving, possessing or selling a stolen vehicle, a Class 2 felony.