Quincy man pleads not guilty to charges in connection with October shooting death

QUINCY — A Quincy man has entered not guilty pleas to all charges he faces in connection with the shooting death last October of a 16-year-old girl.

Demarco Smith, 19, is charged with felony counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery and attempted robbery. The conspiracy counts have a sentencing range between 4 and 15 years, while the robbery charges have terms from 2 to 5 years.

Judge Charles Burch denied a motion from Smith’s attorney, Nicholas Rober, for Smith to be released before trial. Adams County First Assistant State’s Attorney Todd Eyler told the judge that Smith has had a poor track record of attendance in previous court-related activities.

Smith was arrested at a residence in the 1400 block of Spring on April 1. When officers arrived at the front of the residence, Smith attempted to flee out the back door and a back window before surrendering to officers at the front of the residence. Smith was taken into custody without further incident. He is lodged in the Adams County Jail. 

Smith was the latest arrest in the case involving the death of Mackenzie Bullard, who was shot and killed as the result of an armed robbery during which a group of adults and juveniles allegedly conspired to steal a gun. Bullard, a student in the Quincy School District, was found dead in the early morning of Oct. 11 in a home on the 400 block of Scenic Drive.

Fallon M. Gillum and Tristian L. Johnson were arrested in November in connection with the incident. Both eventually agreed in February to plead guilty to mob action, a Class 4 felony, and accept an 18-month sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Other arrests are possible as the investigation continues.