Trial dates set for Weems in November on home invasion charge, December on first-degree murder charge

QUINCY — Trial dates for a Quincy man facing first-degree murder and home invasion charges were set Tuesday morning.

Victor A. Weems III, 20, appeared twice in Adams County Circuit Court before Judge Tad Brenner. Matt Wayman with the Hammer Law Firm in St. Louis represented Weems first on the first-degree murder charge. Public Defender John Citro then represented Weems on six other felony charges.

Brenner set the week of Dec. 16 for the trial on the first-degree charge. He also is charged with aggravated discharge at an occupied vehicle, a Class 1 felony. It carries a possible sentence of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if Weems is found guilty by a jury.

Weems was arrested Jan. 1 during a raid at an apartment complex at 3100 State. He was formally 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. 

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. Weems would have to serve 100 percent of his sentence.

Wayman previously indicated during a May 28 status hearing that he had recently received an offer to resolve the case. 

Weems then was arraigned in three other cases, pleading not guilty in each. Brenner set the trial date for the week of Nov. 4.

Weems is facing the following charges that were filed on Jan. 3, 2023, in connection with a Dec. 13, 2022, incident:

• Obstruction of justice/destroying evidence, a Class 4 felony, for allegedly furnishing false identification to a Quincy Police officer, telling him his name was Josh Berry.
• Causing a child to be endangered, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly fleeing a traffic stop at a high rate of speed and, in doing so, crossing traffic lanes and entering the opposite shoulder of his driving lane and disregarding a traffic control device at the intersection of Fourth and Maine — all with a child less than 18 years of age in the vehicle.
• Reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor.

Weems is facing the following charges that were filed on March 30, 2023, in connection with a March 29, 2023, incident in the home of Cassandra Taylor in the 900 block of Country Club Heights:

• Home invasion/cause injury, a Class X felony, for entering the home of Taylor.
• Aggravated battery to a pregnant person, a Class 3 felony, for punching and kicking Taylor.
• Criminal damage to property of more than $500 but less than $10,000, a Class 4 felony, for damaging a door frame, mirror and glass star.
• Theft, a Class 3 felony, for taking an iPhone 14 from Taylor. 
• Domestic battery/bodily harm, a Class A misdemeanor, for punching and kicking Taylor.

Weems also has been charged with receiving, possessing or selling a stolen vehicle, a Class 2 felony, in connection with a May 16, 2023, incident involving his possession of a 2012 Mercedes ML 350.

Weems was sentenced to 24 months of probation on Aug. 2, 2022, after pleading guilty to obstructing identification, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of cannabis of more than 100 grams but less than 500 grams, a Class 4 felony, in connection with an incident on March 12, 2022. He could be charged with a probation violation if found guilty in his other cases.