Man gets 16 years for second-degree murder in 2011 drug deal gone wrong

Online Staff Report

Von Edrick Johnson, 40, pled guilty April 12 to second-degree murder and was sentenced by Judge Rosemary Collins to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

At 3:11 a.m., May 7, 2011, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police deputies responded to the parking lot at the Great Oaks Apartment Complex in southeast Rockford. Upon arrival, deputies located a male, later identified as Todd Kegel, laying on the ground bleeding. Deputies found that Kegel had a stab wound to his chest. Kegel later died as a result of these injuries.

While on the scene, deputies were approached by a subject identified as Von Johnson. Johnson told deputies he stabbed Kegel following a verbal argument. Deputies then spoke with a witness, who told police she rode to the apartment complex with two other individuals, one was identified as Von Johnson. The witness indicated they drove there to meet Kegel for a drug deal. The witness reported there was a verbal disagreement between Kegel and Johnson regarding the drug deal leading to Kegel getting out of his truck and putting the drugs on the hood of his car. At some point, Johnson took the drugs off the hood of the car without paying for them.

Kegel and Johnson then engaged in a physical altercation. Deputies located a steak knife that Johnson reported he used to stab Kegel.

Second-degree murder is a class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Because of prior convictions, the defendant is extended-term-eligible, resulting in a sentencing range of four to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Charges are still pending with the co-defendant in this incident. These charges are merely accusations, and the co-defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Posted April 13, 2012