Man found guilty of first-degree murder for 2009 stabbing

Online Staff Report

Willie Harrison, 54, has been found guilty of first-degree murder following a bench trial in front of Judge Joseph McGraw.

On the morning of March 14, 2009, Rockford police officers were dispatched to an apartment on North Longwood Street in reference to a stabbing. Upon arrival, police officers observed Harrison standing in the front door of the apartment and noticed he had blood on him.

An officer entered the apartment and observed a large kitchen knife on the top of the TV. Inside the kitchen, officer’s observed Jermaine Rogers lying on the floor. He was not moving and did not appear to be breathing. The officer checked Rogers for vital signs with negative results. Rogers was transported by the Rockford Fire Department to SwedishAmerican Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Harrison stabbed Rogers twice in the back.

First-degree murder is a class M felony with a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m., June 11, in courtroom 209 with Judge McGraw.

Posted April 6, 2012