1 year, 1 month ago by Scott Hardy
Todd Sheffler of Mendon will go on trial July 5 in 2018 beating death of Larry Earvin
A former prison guard at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, whose Federal case ended in a mistrial after being accused of fatally beating an inmate in 2018, will be re-tried this summer.
Todd Sheffler of Mendon was in US District Court in Springfield Monday. Records show that the defense got their wish, and were able to delay the re-trial until July 5th. Prosecutors had said that under the Speedy Trial Act, Sheffler would have to go on trial on or before June 20th. In late April, a federal jury said that they deadlocked at 9 to 3 in favor of convicting Sheffler on counts of Conspiracy to deprive civil rights, Deprivation of civil rights, Obstruction of Justice and falsifying records in a federal investigation.
A second defendant, Alex Banta, of Quincy, was found guilty that same day by that same jury on those same charges. Banta was convicted for taking part in the brutal beating of 65-year-old Larry Earvin, who died of his injuries a month later later. Banta could face up to life imprisonment when he's sentenced August 22nd.
A third defendant, Willie Hedden of Mount Sterling, has pleaded Guilty to counts of conspiracy to deprive civil rights, deprivation of civil rights and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. Hedden admitted taking part in the beating. He also admitted that he falsified a prison report and lied to the Illinois State Police about the incident, and talked a friend and fellow prison employee into deleting a text message where Hedden admitted assaulting Earvin. Hedden is set to be sentenced July 18th, and could also get up to life in prison.
