Marion County State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth was pleased with the murder verdict handed down by Judge Mark Stedelin to 22-year-old Justin Bullard at the close of a two-day bench trial on Wednesday.
He said Bullard had shown blatant disregard for everyone else’s well-being.
“I’m very happy with the judge’s decision. From the get-go, we knew this was not ag DUI or reckless homicide. There were too many facts and other evidence that took it above an accident.”
Hudspeth feels the murder verdict will allow Bullard to be given a more appropriate sentence for his actions.
“A murder conviction is a minimum of 20 years, 100 percent, there is no sentence credit. The Class Two he was facing was three to 14 years at 85 percent required to be served so there was a substantial elevation now in his sentence.”
Hudspeth thanked Special Agent Christian Kohnen who led the investigation and together with numerous other Illinois State Police Troopers and Agents provided him with all the evidence he needed to convict Bullard of murder and not just reckless homicide. He noted the evidence showed Bullard was drunk, driving nearly 100 miles per hour, passing vehicles on the shoulder of US 50 between Sandoval and Salem, and remaining 100 percent on the gas and off the brake until one second prior to the crash.
Hudspeth called Bullard’s actions throughout the day on May 4th were deliberate and intentional.
Hudspeth also appreciates the tremendous level of support shown for Mrs. Mobley by her numerous family and friends who attended the trial. He hopes this helps bring them some level of healing.
