Man guilty of first-degree murder in 2008 stabbing death

Online Staff Report

Walter Woodard, 24, was found guilty of first-degree murder for the stabbing death of Allen Nathanial Walker after a bench trial in front of Judge Ronald White.

May 27, 2008, Rockford Police officers were dispatched to 916 N. Winnebago St. Upon arrival, officers encountered Woodard outside the apartment building. He was covered in blood and bleeding from his hands.

Inside the upstairs apartment, police locate the victim, Walker, lying on the floor suffering from multiple stab wounds. After interviewing an eye witness and completing their investigation, Woodard was arrested for first-degree murder. A subsequent autopsy determined the victim died after suffering from 16 stab wounds.

The penalty range for first-degree murder is 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later time.