Leroy Roberson, a 26-year-old African American male from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was tragically shot to death on December 25, 2015, in the parking lot of a bar in Centralia, Illinois. The incident occurred outside Party Liquors, where Roberson was involved in an altercation. According to reports, Demetrice Lockett, a 28-year-old man from Mulberry Grove, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with Roberson's death.
The investigation revealed that
Lockett had intervened in a fight between Roberson and another individual. During the altercation, Lockett retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and fired a shot that struck Roberson. The bullet entered Roberson's buttocks and traveled to his heart, causing his death. Lockett claimed that he fired the shot to protect a friend who was involved in the fight. Despite this claim, he was initially charged with first-degree murder.
As the case progressed, Lockett's charges were reduced to second-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The court proceedings highlighted that Lockett believed his actions were justified at the time, although this belief was deemed unreasonable. Roberson's family expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced charge and the plea deal, feeling that justice had not been fully served.
Throughout the legal process, Lockett remained in custody at the Marion County Jail. He was credited for time served since his arrest on the night of the shooting. Upon completion of his prison sentence, Lockett will be required to serve two years of mandatory supervised release. The case drew significant attention in the local community, with heightened security measures in place during court appearances due to the emotional and contentious nature of the proceedings.
