Another man will spend decades behind bars for the murder of a 19-year-old Springfield woman.
DeMarco Jones has been sentenced to 44 years behind bars for his part in the shooting death of Alaysia Bennett during an attempted robbery.
“We respect the Court’s thorough and considered analysis of the evidence in aggravation presented during the sentencing hearing," wrote Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright. "The Defendant’s 44-year sentence should reverberate throughout our community to individuals who would commit acts of gun violence and participate in gang activity. You will be held accountable. This case is an example of the real life consequences of gun violence. Alaysia Bennett’s family and our entire community lost a bright light as a result of the actions of the Defendant and his associates. Demarco Jones wasn’t the first violent gang member to be removed from our streets and he will not be the last thanks to the tireless efforts of the Springfield Police Department.”
Bennett, 19, was gunned down in a car on Springfield's west side in 2016.
Police say Bennett was sitting in the car, along with a 3-year-old and several others, in the 2400 block of West Washington Street when a van pulled up blocking them in and the gunman jumped out and opened fire.
Evidence presented at trial showed Jones and several of his associates, fellow members of the Springfield "SQAD" gang, were driving around town in a van attempting several robberies before the shooting.
Jones was identified as the “mastermind” of the attempted robbery spree that day, provided a gun to the shooter, directed the fellow SQAD member driving the van, identified the car to target for the botched robbery resulting in Bennett’s murder, and directed Taylor to “hit” the vehicle occupied by Alaysia Bennett and 4 other individuals, including a 3-year-old child.
After the murder, Jones and others disassembled the murder weapon and threw separate pieces into the sewer drains in different areas.
Jones then fled to Texas, despite being on parole and prohibited from leaving the state.
He was arrested in October 2017.
Jones was found guilty in June of first-degree murder.
Jones's lawyer said they plan to appeal Friday's sentencing of 44 years for first-degree murder.
Two others were arrested in connection with Bennett's murder.
Devante Taylor was sentenced in 2019 to 50 years for the murder of Alaysia Bennett.
Roderick Gailes was also arrested and charged in Bennett's death. Gailes is back in court on September 9.