Moheb Diab, a 27-year-old man from Machesney Park, IL, was tragically killed on April 12, 2015. Diab, who was of Middle Eastern descent, was reported missing by his mother on April 13, 2015, after he had not been seen for 24 hours. His vehicle was later found in a parking lot on April 17, 2015. The investigation led authorities to James V. Doyle, a 29-year-old man from Loves Park.
Doyle, who had served in the Army and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, confessed to shooting Diab in the head with a 9 mm pistol and hiding his body in a closet. Diab had gone to Doyle's home to retrieve money he had stored in a safe in Doyle's basement. Doyle had taken about $9,000 from the safe over time and did not know how to explain it to Diab. Diab's body was found 10 days later at Doyle's residence.
Doyle was charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 30 years in prison under the terms of a plea agreement. The plea deal was reached because prosecutors believed they might not secure a conviction at trial due to biases and demographics in Winnebago County. Doyle's defense attorney argued that Doyle's experiences in Afghanistan had significantly impacted his mental health.
Diab was a single man who attended Rock Valley College and worked as a self-employed landscaper. He was active in the Muslim community and helped many of his family members financially. The Diab family expressed their dissatisfaction with the 30-year sentence, feeling it was insufficient for the crime committed. They believed true justice would be served in the afterlife.
