Brenner accepts Weems plea deal for murder of Quincy woman; Sentencing set for Dec. 20

QUINCY — Adams County Circuit Judge Tad Brenner has accepted a plea deal between the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office and a Quincy man charged with first-degree murder.

Victor A. Weems III, 20, and his attorney, Matt Wayman with the Hammer Law Firm in St. Louis, and First Assistant State’s Attorney Todd Eyler appeared before Brenner Friday morning.

Weems pled guilty to the murder charge and two misdemeanors while other charges were dropped. Weems faces up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and would have to serve 100 percent of his sentence.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 20.

Regarding the plea arrangement, Eyler said “It’s never enough, but I hope it does bring some measure of comfort to the family.”

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. 

Weems on the run for more than seven months before being arrested in January 2024. Following a tip to local law enforcment, a raid at the Village Apartments, 3100 State, led to his arrest.