Man faces sentencing for role in 2011 Sherman Avenue murder

Lamont Cole

Online Staff Report

Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato announced Dec. 20 that Lamont Cole, 28, was found guilty by Judge Ron White of two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, mob action and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Jan. 22, 2011, Rockford police were dispatched to the 2000 block of Sherman Avenue in Rockford in reference to numerous shooting victims. Upon arrival, police located Charles Spivey, deceased as the result of a gunshot wound to the head.

Officers also located five other victims of gunshot wounds who were either found at the scene or had already been transported to the hospital.

Through the course of the investigation, it was determined Cole had come to the scene of the shooting at 2003 Sherman Ave. armed with a handgun with two other armed individuals. It was further determined Cole exited the vehicle with a firearm along with the two other armed subjects and was involved in the actions that led to the death of Spivey and the shooting of the five other individuals.

Further, Cole was previously convicted of the forcible felony of aggravated battery of a firearm and was therefore not permitted by law or eligible to possess a firearm.

The sentencing range for murder is 35 to 75 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The sentencing range for attempted first-degree murder is 21 to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and two to 10 years for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and one to six years for mob action. The murder and attempted murder are all consecutive sentencing to each other.

The sentencing court date is 1:30 p.m., Feb. 8 in courtroom 316 in front of Judge White.

Posted Dec. 20, 2012