A Springfield man has been sentenced to 44 years in prison for his role in a 2016 murder, even though he did not fire the fatal shot.
Sangamon County prosecutors say Demarco Jones was a member of a Springfield street gang called the “SQAD,” and was the mastermind of a crime spree, including a botched robbery that resulted in the murder of 19-year-old Alaysia Bennett. Evidence at trial indicated that Jones gave the gun to shooter Devante Taylor and directed him to “hit” (rob) the vehicle where Bennett and several others were sitting.
Jones was on parole at the time of the killing. State’s attorney Dan Wright says the 44-year sentence should send a message to others who take part in gang activity or gun violence.
[This story has been edited to clarify that Jones directed Taylor to rob the vehicle.]
