Illinois State Police officials announced the conviction of 19-year-old Jerome Schmidt of Springfield, IL, for First Degree Murder.
On January 26, 2021, the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence in Hammond, IL, where they located a 64-year-old male victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim succumbed to his injuries at the residence. After a thorough investigation by ISP, three suspects, including Schmidt, were identified and eventually taken into custody.
A bench trial began on Monday, January 9, 2023, in Piatt County. The Piatt County State’s Attorney’s Office and Schmidt’s defense presented their case before the Honorable Judge Dana Rhoads. On Monday, January 17, 2023, Judge Rhoads returned with a guilty verdict for the charge of First-Degree Murder verdict. Schmidt will return to court for a sentencing hearing on February 23, 2023.