William Newbern III, a 42-year-old African American man, was tragically killed on November 25, 2014, in Danville, Illinois. His body was discovered in a yard in the 500 block of North Griffin Street, not far from his apartment. The initial investigation revealed that Newbern had died from multiple gunshot wounds, leading authorities to treat his death as a homicide. The autopsy confirmed that he had been shot several times, which prompted a thorough investigation by the Danville Police Department and the Vermilion County Coroner's Office.
The investigation into William Newbern III's death led to the arrest of Theron Price, a 42-year-old man from Danville. Price was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Newbern's death. The case went to trial in October 2018, where a Vermilion County Circuit Court Jury found Price guilty of the fatal shooting. The prosecution, handled by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, presented evidence that Price had shot Newbern three times in the back. The jury deliberated for only two hours before reaching a guilty verdict.
Following the conviction, Theron Price was sentenced to natural life in prison by Circuit Judge Nancy Fahey. During the sentencing, Judge Fahey emphasized the severity of Price's actions, describing the shooting as "despicable and un-excusable." She highlighted the need for a life sentence to deter others from committing similar acts of violence, especially in a community grappling with rampant gun violence. Price, who had been a friend of Newbern, did not offer any comments before his sentencing. The victim's family, including his mother Sharon Wills-Young and father Roscoe Newbern, expressed their grief and praised the efforts of the Danville Police in solving the case.
The tragic death of William Newbern III and the subsequent legal proceedings underscore the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of justice for the victims and their families. The case remains a poignant reminder of the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such senseless acts of violence in communities.
