Plea negotiations continue for Quincy man facing three counts of first-degree murder

QUINCY — A plea may be imminent for Quincy man facing three counts of first-degree murder.

Devere Gholston, 28, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon before Judge Tad Brenner. Gholston was represented by St. Louis area attorney Matthew Radefeld for the murder charges. Public Defender John Citro also appeared for Gholston in another case in which Gholston is charged with two counts of aggravated battery.

After introducing himself to Brenner, Radefeld said he recently had talked with the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“We’re in a current negotiation about a potential resolution, and a continuance would be most beneficial,” Radefeld said.

Radefeld asked Brenner for an additional 60 to 90 days. Brenner set a status hearing on both cases for June 6.

Along with three Class M felonies, Gholston also faces one count of residential burglary and one count of robbery in the beating death of 67-year-old Robert Schmidt, who died Feb. 17, 2022 in his home at 3219 Gross Gables. Each of the Class M felonies are punishable for between 35 and 75 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Gholston pled not guilty to the charges on April 20, 2022.

Hayden Schmidt, 16, was sentenced March 8 to 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree murder in his grandfather’s death. Three counts of first-degree murder, one count of robbery and one count of residential burglary were dismissed as part of a fully negotiated plea. Hayden Schmidt admitted in court to striking his grandfather twice in the head.

Gholston allegedly was in the vehicle that drove Hayden Schmidt to his grandfather’s house.

Gholston remains in the Adams County Jail on $10 million bond.