Bynum case removed from November jury docket; Status to be reviewed next month

QUINCY — A Clayton teen facing first-degree murder charges will not go to trail in November.

Wyond L. Bynum, Jr., 19, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court on Wednesday morning before Associate Circuit Court Judge Holly Henze. Bynum’s first attorney, Victor Smith of St. Louis, withdrew last month and Bynum now is being represented by the Adams County Public Defender’s office.

Chief Public Defender Jonathon Hoover will serve as lead counsel. Following the change in attorneys, a status hearing was set for Nov. 13, thus removing it from its previously scheduled jury docket.

Bynum has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the Aug. 14, 2023, shooting death of Jaycob Rowland.  He pled not guilty during his arraignment on July 18.

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. The murder weapon was recovered in the West Jefferson residence.