QUINCY — A Quincy man who allegedly exchanged gunfire earlier this month while in a car on the city’s northwest side pled not guilty Tuesday morning. Chaeto Nichols, 18, was arraigned in Adams County Circuit Court by Judge Amy Lannerd. Nichols appeared with public defender Christopher Pratt. The case was placed on the March 13 […]
Adams County Circuit Court
‘You violated the trust of everyone’: Graff receives two-year sentence for sexually abusing teenage girl
QUINCY — Judge Roger Thomson told Jonathan Graff he “violated the trust of everyone” in sentencing him Wednesday morning to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for sexually abusing a teenage girl. Graff, 31, a youth basketball coach and athletic trainer, appeared at the hearing in Adams County Circuit Court with his attorney, […]
Trial for man charged in fatal Memorial Day crash set for January; public defender files motion of affirmative defense
QUINCY — The trial for a Quincy man charged in a fatal Memorial Day crash in Quincy was placed on the jury docket for Jan. 9. Wike, 21, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court Tuesday morning before Judge Amy Lannerd. He is represented by Chief Public Defender Todd Nelson. Wike faces charges of reckless homicide, […]
Yohn pleads not guilty to allegedly threatening to kill correctional officer in Adams County Jail
QUINCY — Bradley Yohn of Springfield, who is preparing to defend himself against criminal sexual assault charges in a Nov. 2021 incident, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to another felony charge he picked up Oct. 14 for allegedly threatening to kill a correctional officer in the Adams County Jail. Yohn, 35, appeared […]
Delayed report causes continuance in case against Quincy man charged in fatal Memorial Day crash
QUINCY — A status hearing for a Quincy man charged in a fatal Memorial Day crash was continued Tuesday because a report from an expert witness is incomplete. Breeden Wike, 21, appeared Tuesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court with public defender Todd Nelson. Wike faces felony charges of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving, […]
Graff sentencing hearing postponed for two weeks because legal document wasn’t delivered
QUINCY — Judge Roger Thomson continued a sentencing hearing for a youth basketball coach and athletic trainer scheduled for Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court because a legal document dropped off at the Adams County Jail wasn’t delivered in a timely fashion. Jonathan Graff, 31, appeared at the hearing with his attorney, Drew Schnack. […]
Yohn upset after motion denied, storms out of courtroom; trial set to begin Nov. 14
QUINCY — After debating with Judge Roger Thomson about the start date of his jury trial in November, a frustrated Bradley Yohn abruptly stormed out of an Adams County courtroom Wednesday morning with help from several bailiffs and court security personnel. Yohn, a Springfield man charged with four Class X felonies in Adams County in […]
Trial for Quincy man facing three counts of first-degree murder set for January docket
QUINCY — The trial for a Quincy man facing three counts of first-degree murder has been set for the January jury docket. Devere S. Gholston, 27, made a brief appearance for a status hearing in Adams County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon with public defender John Citro before Judge Debra Wellborn. Another status hearing was set […]
First-degree murder trial for Quincy man placed on December jury docket
QUINCY — The trial for a Quincy man facing attempted first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm charges has been set for the December jury docket. Donte M. Clausell, 34, is in federal custody on a separate firearms-related charge. However, he appeared in Adams County Circuit Court Tuesday morning with public defender Christopher Pratt […]
Bond set at $750,000 for Quincy man found with package containing kilogram of cocaine during narcotics investigation
QUINCY — Bond has been set at $750,000 for a Quincy man who was arrested Wednesday with more than a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine that was discovered during a narcotics investigation. Sami J. Grullon, 25, of Quincy, made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon before Judge Tad Brenner. He […]
Yohn claims judge has put him at ‘very unfair disadvantage’ and ‘blatantly lied,’ files motion for replacement
QUINCY — Bradley Yohn, a Springfield man charged with four Class X felonies in Adams County in connection with a Nov. 9, 2021 sexual assault, filed a motion last week requesting a substitution of judge in his case in Adams County Circuit Court. Yohn, 35, is defending himself against charges of home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, […]
Standby attorney appointed to assist Yohn as he prepares to defend himself in sexual assault case
QUINCY — Judge Roger Thomson appointed standby counsel for Bradley Yohn, a Springfield man charged with four Class X felonies in Adams County in connection with a Nov. 9, 2021 sexual assault case who is defending himself for a second time. Thomson selected public defender Todd Nelson, Yohn’s attorney from July 20 until Thomson dismissed […]
Quincy woman receives five-year sentence for unlawful delivery of heroin, Xanax
QUINCY — A Quincy woman received a five-year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections on Wednesday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court. Caitlin Dietiker, 32, pled guilty to two charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance on July 13 in exchange for a prison term of no longer than 10 years. Judge Roger […]
Quincy man gets five-year sentence in DOC after pleading guilty to sexual abuse charges with underage sisters
QUINCY — A Quincy man was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on Friday morning following his guilty plea to two aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges. Camron Marold, 20, appeared with public defender Todd Nelson before Judge Amy Lannerd in Adams County Circuit Court. Nelson had asked Lannerd to sentence Marold […]
After turning down 15-year sentence in plea deal, Quincy man now could get as many 25 years in prison for burglaries, weapons offenses
QUINCY — After refusing last week to accept a 15-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for guilty pleas to five burglary charges, Zachary Laffey reached a new plea deal and stunningly agreed Wednesday to guilty pleas on even more charges which could lead to a sentence of as many as 25 […]
Trial for former Quincy nightclub owner facing assault charges now on February docket
QUINCY — Judge Amy Lannerd put the trial for a former Quincy nightclub owner accused of assaulting a Quincy University student on the docket in February 2023. Steven W. Homan, 48, made an appearance before Lannerd in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday with Ben Song, an associate with the St. Louis firm of Rosenblum, Schwartz […]
Yohn dismisses second public defender, will defend himself again; says he’s ‘being treated like an animal, like an Afghan terrorist’
QUINCY — Bradley Yohn is defending himself for a second time. The Springfield man, charged with four Class X felonies in Adams County in connection with a Nov. 9, 2021 sexual assault, filed a motion on Aug. 24 to claim public defender Todd Nelson has been ineffective as his counsel and asked to represent himself […]
Quincy man facing burglary charges agrees to 15-year sentence as part of plea, then changes mind
QUINCY — A Quincy man scheduled to accept to a plea agreement Tuesday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court changed his mind. Zachary Laffey, 28, appeared before Judge John Wooleyhan with public defender Vanessa Pratt. Todd Eyler, Adams County assistant state’s attorney, told Wooleyhan an agreement had been reached for Laffey to plead guilty to […]
Request to increase Jason Priest’s bond to $100,000 denied, but judge places him on electronic surveillance
QUINCY — An Adams County judge denied a request from the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office to modify Jason Priest’s bond, but she ordered Priest to be placed on GPS electronic surveillance monitoring. Priest, 50, now has 12 separate cases pending against him, and the state’s attorney’s office expects to file additional charges later this […]
Graff eligible for 1-3 years in DOC or up to 30 months probation after pleading guilty to lesser charge; sentencing set for Oct. 19
QUINCY — A youth basketball coach and athletic trainer pled guilty Wednesday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court to one count of criminal sexual abuse. Jonathan Graff, 31, of Quincy entered an open plea with his attorney, Drew Schnack, in front of Judge Roger Thomson. He will sentence Graff at 11 a.m. Oct. 19. Criminal […]
Assistant state’s attorney says plea deal may be possible in Rokusek case; review set for Sept. 27
Judge Thomson noted it will have been almost a year since Rokusek’s arrest when the status hearing happens on Sept. 27.
“If it’s not resolved then, we’ll be picking a trial date,” Thomson said. “I’m just giving you fair warning.”
Jason Priest faces more misdemeanor charges; allegedly threatens judge, who decides to recuse himself
QUINCY — Jason Priest appeared in Adams County Circuit Court on Friday morning after the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office filed a motion this week for bond to be modified or increased in cases against him. Priest also was making a first appearance on two other court cases. However, the hearing was continued to Monday […]
Arkansas man charged with kidnapping Quincy woman in July 2021 pleads guilty to two felonies, gets 20-year prison sentence
QUINCY — An Arkansas man pled guilty Friday morning in Adams County Circuit Court to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault in exchange for a 20-year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Mario Mason, 40, of Turrell, Ark., entered his plea with his attorney, public defender Vanessa Pratt, in front of Judge Amy […]
Schmidt enters not guilty plea; trial on crowded November jury docket
QUINCY — A Quincy teen being tried as an adult and accused of murdering his grandfather has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first degree murder and two other charges
Blackledge writes that counsel was ‘less than efficient’ and asks for sentence to be vacated … then tells judge otherwise
QUINCY — Karen Blackledge sent a letter to the Adams County Circuit Clerk on July 27, saying her legal representation was “less than efficient and effective” and led her to agree May 5 to two 20-year sentences to the Illinois Department of Corrections. However, when Judge Amy Lannerd asked Friday during a motion hearing in […]
Public defender given $2,500 budget to find psychiatrist in case against Quincy man charged in fatal Memorial Day crash
QUINCY — Judge Amy Lannerd approved for public defender Todd Nelson to spend as much as $2,500 for an expert witness in the case against a Quincy man charged in a fatal Memorial Day crash. Breeden Wike, 20, appeared Thursday afternoon for a motion hearing in Adams County Circuit Court. He faces felony charges of […]
Graff waives jury trial, will enter plea Aug. 31
QUINCY — A Quincy man accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl has waived his jury trial pursuant to a plea negotiation. Jonathan Graff, 31, appeared Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court with his attorney, Drew Schnack, before Judge Roger Thomson. Graff will enter his plea on Aug. 31. Graff was indicted July 2 […]
Charges of making contact with sheriff’s deputy, hitting babysitter with Jeep to be dropped in plea negotiation with Quincy man
QUINCY — A case against a Quincy man charged with two felonies in connection with a June 11 incident has been set for a plea on Aug. 31. Lenard M. Miller, 41, did not appear with attorney Drew Schnack on Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court. However, Schnack told Judge Roger Thomson he recently […]
Minnesota man pleads not guilty to four sexual assault felonies with children under age 13
QUINCY — A gymnastics coach from West Virginia pled not guilty Tuesday morning to four charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 in Adams County. Leonard Johnson, 63, of Rochester, Minn., was arraigned in Adams County Circuit Court by Judge Amy Lannerd. He appeared with his attorney, Drew […]
Wiley to be represented by public defender’s office; Barnard makes first appearance as special prosecutor
QUINCY — A Quincy man charged with first-degree murder in the death of an infant in 2018 made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court with a representative from the public defender’s on Monday morning. A former Adams County state’s attorney from 2004 to 2016 also made his first appearance as a special prosecutor […]
Quincy woman who pled guilty in drug case to be sentenced in September
QUINCY — Caitlin R. Dietiker of Quincy, who pled guilty July 13 to two charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance in exchange for a cap of 10 years on her sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections, will be sentenced Sept. 21. Public defender Todd Nelson said during Dietiker’s last appearance before Judge Roger […]
Yohn apologizes for outburst during July court appearance; case now on November jury docket
QUINCY — The case against Bradley Yohn, who has been charged with four Class X felonies in connection with a Nov. 9, 2021 sexual assault, now is on the November jury docket. Yohn, 35, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court with public defender Todd Nelson on Wednesday morning before Judge Roger Thomson. The jury trial is […]
‘The court did not appreciate the significance of the injuries’: Judge admits error, increases bond from $2,000 to $20,000 in battery case
QUINCY — Admitting “the court undoubtedly erred” Monday when setting bond in a battery case, Judge Tad Brenner increased Andrew Campbell’s bond to $20,000 during a motion hearing Thursday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court. Campbell, who voluntarily appeared in court with public defender Christopher Pratt, was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs by four […]
Quincy teen to be tried as adult in first-degree murder case; allegedly killed grandfather in February by striking him with handgun
QUINCY — A Quincy teen accused of murdering his grandfather will be tried as an adult. Hayden E. Schmidt, 16, made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning with public defender Christopher Pratt serving as counsel. “I’ve had no opportunity to talk with Mr. Schmidt outside of court today, and I […]
Woman who stole Quincy Police car pleads guilty to three felonies, gets 15-year prison sentence
Watch Mercedes Patterson drive a stolen Hyundai, then steal a Quincy Police car and drive at speeds topping 100 miles per hour on the streets of Quincy, Ill., on Dec. 22, 2021. (Video courtesy of Quincy Police Department and Adams Co. State’s Attorney’s office) QUINCY — A Quincy woman pled guilty Wednesday afternoon in Adams […]
After agreeing to work with public defender, Yohn objects to continuance; shouts obscenities at judge as bailiffs escort him from courtroom
Yohn said, “Why don’t you get off my case then?” Three bailiffs escorted him from the courtroom as he used vulgarity while accusing the judge of performing oral sex on the male organ.
Grand jury indicts Graff on charge of sexually abusing teenage girl; trial set for Sept. 12
QUINCY — An indictment has been filed against a Quincy man accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl. Jonathan Graff, 31, was indicted July 2 by an Adams County grand jury. He appeared with attorney Drew Schnack on Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court. He pled not guilty to one count of aggravated criminal […]
Grand jury indicts Quincy man charged with making contact with sheriff’s deputy, hitting babysitter with Jeep
QUINCY — An indictment has been filed against a Quincy man charged with two felonies in connection with a June 11 incident. Lenard M. Miller, 41, was indicted July 14 by an Adams County grand jury. He appeared with attorney Drew Schnack on Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court and pled not guilty to […]
Dietiker accepts 10-year cap on prison term as part of plea; drug-induced homicide charges dropped
QUINCY — A Quincy woman pled guilty Wednesday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court to two charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance in exchange for a prison term of no longer than 10 years. Dietiker, 22, was set to enter a plea on May 11 when her attorney, public defender Todd Nelson, told […]
Quincy man sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for burning 3-year-old boy in hot shower
QUINCY — A Quincy man was sentenced Wednesday to 7 1/2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after he pled guilty in March to attempted aggravated battery of a child. Judge Amy Lannerd sentenced Raphael Wires, 36, in Adams County Circuit Court. Wires was arrested in December and charged with aggravated battery of a […]
Judge denies requests for new attorney, change of venue from Quincy woman facing sexual assault of a child charges
QUINCY — A judge denied a Quincy woman’s request for a new attorney and a change of venue Wednesday morning. Amanda Toolate, 43, of 323 College is facing one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony punishable for between six and 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, […]
With jury selection set to begin, trial is delayed as Yohn asks for attorney to be assigned; plans to ‘fire him later’ and continue defending himself
QUINCY — The trial of Bradley Yohn in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning started with Judge Roger Thomson addressing a series of motions filed by Yohn last week. It ended moments before jury selection was set to begin when Yohn told Thomson, “I can’t do this.” Thomson eventually set a July 6 hearing […]
Trial for Quincy woman charged in 2020 crash that killed four moved to April
QUINCY — The trial of a Quincy woman charged in connection with the 2020 crash that killed four people has been moved to April. Public Defender Todd Nelson filed a motion on Wednesday in Adams County Circuit Court to continue the case against Natasha McBride, 37. She faces four counts of murder in connection to […]
McBride murder trial won’t start until opinion of her fitness to stand trial is submitted
QUINCY — A pre-trial hearing date for a Quincy woman facing four murder charges remains unchanged, but a report from a Chicago psychiatrist could change that. Judge Scott Larson ruled Friday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court that he would grant Josh Jones, lead trial attorney for the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office, more time […]
Motion hearing to extend deadline for discovery could potentially delay McBride murder case
QUINCY — A trial for a Quincy woman charged in an August 2020 crash that killed four people remains on track to be heard in February. However, a hearing on Friday could change that. A motion was filed by the state’s attorney’s office on Dec. 29 to extend the deadline for discovery in the case […]
