Grand jury indicts Bynum on three first-degree murder charges; arraignment set for Sept. 20

QUINCY — An Adams County grand jury has indicted a Clayton man with three counts of first-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of a Camp Point man. His arraignment is scheduled for next week in Quincy.

Wyond L. Bynum, Jr., 18, appeared Wednesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court with Public Defender Christopher Pratt before Judge Robert Adrian. Several supporters of Jaycob K. Rowland, who Bynum allegedly shot and killed Aug. 14, were the courtroom wearing “In Loving Memory” T-shirts with a photo of Rowland. Members of Bynum’s family, as well as six bailiffs and law enforcement officers, also were in attendance.

Pratt told Adrian during Wednesday’s hearing that, based upon the return of the bill of indictment, he was ready to proceed with arraignment. Adrian explained the arraignment couldn’t take place on Wednesday because Bynum had just been indicted, and the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office was not ready with the arraignment sheet.

The bill of indictment, returned on Sept. 7, found Bynum guilty of three counts of first-degree murder. One count says Bynum shot Rowland with the intent to kill him. One count says Bynum shot Rowland with the intent to cause great bodily harm. The final count says Bynum shot Rowland “knowing that such acts created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm.”

 All three counts are Class M felonies.

Bynum could be sentenced to 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, plus three years of supervised release, if a jury convicts him. First-degree murder in Illinois must be served at 100 percent. Bynum would not be eligible for probation, and the court could fine him up to $25,000.

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. Deputies arrested three men at first. They later released two men — friends of Rowland — who brought the body to the Adams County EMS station in Camp Point. The murder weapon was recovered in the West Jefferson residence.

Bynum remains in the Adams County Jail. His bond is $3 million.