^[1]

Omarrian Jones

Online Staff Report 

Omarrian Jones, 27, was found guilty of first-degree murder (20 counts), attempted first-degree mrder (one count), home invasion (five counts) and residential burglary (one count) after a two-week jury trial in front of Judge Ron White. The jury deliberated for more than two hours before returning with the guilty verdict on all 27 counts. 

At approximately 7:05 p.m., July 8, 2009, Rockford police were dispatched to 2623 Pleasant View Ave. to investigate a possible home invasion. Upon arrival, detectives met with Reyle Cardino, who had informed them that when he arrived at his parents’ home there was a unknown male in the kitchen of the home and he observed the house was in disarray.  

Cardino further indicated the assailant attacked him and during the struggle they fell down a flight of stairs. The assailant continued to beat Cardino, hitting him and throwing several items at his head, and then fled from the scene.  

After surviving the beating, Cardino was able to make his way outside, where he was able to reach a neighbor, who then contacted the police.  

Upon searching the home, officers discovered the bodies of of Reynato and Leticia Cardino, who were brutally beaten to death in their home. Cardino provided a description of the assailant to police, and after an extensive investigation and DNA testing, Jones was developed as a suspect.  

July 14, 2009, police secured a warrant for Jones’ arrest. He was located and taken into custody July 16, 2009, after a foot chase. Cardino later identified Jones in a photo line-up as the man he encountered when entering the home of his parents. 

First-degree murder is a class M felony with a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Under Illinois law, if a person is convicted for killing two or more individuals, the sentence is mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole.  

The jury also found the murders were committed against a person 60 years of age or older and that the murder was accompanied by exceptionally brutal or heiness behavior indicative of wanton cruelty. These enhancement factors provide a sentencing range of up to 100 years on the first-degree murder charges.  

Attempted first-degree murder is a class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Home invasion is a class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Residential burglary is a class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. The next court date is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., May 14, in courtroom 316 in front of Judge White. 

Posted May 9, 2012