On Monday, August 21, 2023, after four days of testimony and evidence, a Whiteside County Jury found Michael W. T. Bennett guilty of two counts of first degree murder, in the May 1, 2021, shooting death of Joshua N. Hamrick. The Jury also found that Bennett personally discharged a firearm that proximately caused death to another person. As a result of the finding regarding personally discharging a firearm that proximately caused death to another person, under Illinois law, Bennett is subject to 25-years-to-life in addition to the sentence imposed for first degree murder.
Whiteside County State’s Attorney Terry A. Costello and First Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Simon prosecuted the case against Bennett. Attorney Michael Jarard represented Bennett.
On July 8, 2021, Bennett was indicted by a Whiteside County Grand July for two counts of first degree murder.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2023.