Willie Harrison

Online Staff Report 

Willie Harrison, 55, was sentenced by Judge Joseph McGraw to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of first-degree murder. Harrison was found guilty after a bench trial April 6. 

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, Rockford police officers observed Harrison standing in the front door of the apartment and noticed he had blood on him.  

The officer entered the apartment and observed a large kitchen knife on the top of the TV. Inside the kitchen, officers 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 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. 

Posted July 27, 2012