Trial for Quincy teen charged in death of grandfather set for March

December 21, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor

Adams County Public Defender Christopher Pratt, left, speaks with Hayden Schmidt before his appearance in Adams County Circuit Court in August 2022. | Pool photo by J. Robert Gough

QUINCY — Negotiations with the state’s attorney’s office continue, but a trial for a Quincy teen being tried as an adult and accused of murdering his grandfather has been placed on the March docket.

Hayden Schmidt, 16, appeared Tuesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court with his attorney, public defender Chris Pratt, before Judge Tad Brenner. Pratt’s request to put the trial on the docket was granted by Brenner.

Schmidt has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, one count of robbery and one count of residential burglary in the Feb. 17, 2022, death of Robert Schmidt, 67, in his home at 3219 Gross Gables.

Schmidt allegedly struck his grandfather in the head with a firearm on the morning of Feb. 17. Each of the felony murder charges carry a sentence between 35 and 75 years, each since a firearm was used. The sentences also would run concurrently if an Adams County jury convicts him.

He also faces a charge of residential burglary, with a sentencing range between 4 and 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and a charge of robbery, with a sentencing range of 3 to 7 years.

Schmidt also allegedly took firearms from Robert Schmidt’s home by the use of or the threat of force.

Deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department arrested Schmidt in the Third and Chestnut area on the same day his grandfather was found dead.

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

Devere S. Gholston also was arrested in connection with the same incident, and he faces the same charges as Schmidt — three counts of first-degree murder, as well as one court of residential burglary and one count of robbery.

Gholston allegedly was in the vehicle that drove Hayden Schmidt to the house.

Gholston is in the Adams County Jail on $10 million bond. His case was removed from the January jury trial docket on Monday after St. Louis area attorney Matthew Radefeld entered an appearance as his attorney.