A 27-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to 55-years in prison for the December 2019 murder of Clender Edmond at a home off the Green Street Road east of Central City.
Judge Kimberly Koester handed down the sentence to Mantez Duncan during a Friday morning sentencing hearing. She had found him guilty at the end of a four-day-long bench trial in August.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed the minimum sentence Duncan could receive was 45 years in prison of which 100-percent would have to be served. After finding no mitigating and several aggravating factors, Judge Koester settled on the 55-year sentence. Duncan could have received a maximum of natural life in prison.
The judge told Duncan he had a horrible upbringing that was tough and destructive which included finding his mother dead from a drug overdose. But Judge Koester noted after seeing the effect of drugs on his mother he led a life of using and dealing drugs and carrying on the ‘family business’. The judge said while Duncan knew nothing else but drugs, he was offered chances of counseling which he never took advantage.
Judge Koester also pointed to Duncan’s four previous felony convictions on drug possession and delivery charges in making her decision. She also noted that Edmond had been lured to the residence where he was killed and placed or asked to lay down on a tarp before Duncan discharged the gun that led to his death. The judge then found Duncan helped roll up the tarp and set the body on fire once it was placed on a burn pile.
Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Doran argued for a 60-year prison term. She noted Duncan had started selling drugs at the age of 16 and while out on bond awaiting trial on some of four felony convictions, he was arrested on new drug charges. She added Duncan had only held two jobs in his life, both that ended quickly for attendance problems.
Duncan’s Public Defender Matt Wilzbach asked the judge to give Duncan a chance. He noted that even with the minimum 45-year sentence, Duncan would not get out of prison until the age of 72. Wilzbach said anything more would be a life sentence. He argued Duncan had never been given a chance of probation to reform before being sent to prison on his first two drug convictions.
Duncan declined to give a statement in allocution.
During the sentencing, Judge Koester threatened to continue the proceeding after Duncan burped loudly and appeared to have trouble staying awake. Duncan sat quietly at the defense table after that, often with his head down.
Prior to the sentencing hearing, Judge Koester denied a post-trial motion seeking a new trial or sentence. After the sentencing hearing, Duncan asked the Judge about the procedure in filing a motion claiming ineffective counsel.
Wilzbach had no comment about the sentence, while Doran said she was pleased with the judge’s decision.
Duncan was one of five charged with Edmond’s murder. The other four are still awaiting trial.
