Quincy man charged with first-degree murder in May 2023 shooting death to plead guilty, face 30-year cap

QUINCY — A Quincy man facing a charge of first-degree murder is set to enter a guilty plea and agree to a cap of 30 years on a sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections when he appears Nov. 8 in Adams County Circuit Court.

Circuit Judge Tad Brener filed an order Monday afternoon stating that an agreement had been reached between 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.

Eyler said during a hearing last week in a different felony case that the plea agreement also would call for the dismissal of six other felonies charged against Weems in 2023. Weems would have to serve 100 percent of his sentence.

Weems last appeared before Brenner on Oct. 22. Wayman told Brenner that terms of a plea agreement had not been reached and that he was ready for trial, which was on the December docket.

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 was not arrested for more than seven months. Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates said he had received reports of Weems being in Chicago and also in the St. Charles, Mo.. area. Yates said the St. Charles Police Department had been especially helpful in the pursuit of Weems. 

A raid of an apartment in the Village Apartments, 3100 State, on Jan. 8 led to the arrest of Weems. Yates said the department received a tip that Weems was back in the Hannibal-Quincy area. While a female fled from the scene, Weems was found in the back bedroom of an apartment. He was unarmed and arrested without incident.

The first-degree charge in a Class M felony and carries a possible sentence of 45 years to natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections if Weems is found guilty by a jury. A Class M felony typically would have a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years, but Weems’ charge has a 25-year added enhancement since a firearm was used in the murder. 

The aggravated discharge at an occupied vehicle charge carries a possible sentence of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if Weems is found guilty by a jury.