LAWRENCE CO., Ill.—A Sumner man has been set for an April sentencing after a stipulated bench trial today.
Chad Hayes
Chad Hayes, 33, will be sentenced to a term in Department of Corrections not to exceed nine years in April after effectively entering a guilty plea today in what’s called a stipulated bench trial, in which the state presents evidence, the defense agrees that that is indeed what happened, and the judge in the case proclaims the defendant guilty.
That’s just what happened today with Hayes, who was accused of Aggravated DUI Causing Death, in this case, of 7-year-old David Kearby, after Hayes ran over Kearby who was riding a bicycle on the main street through Sumner on July 25, 2011. Having struck the boy on his bicycle, Hayes continued driving, dragging the boy under the vehicle for about a block.
When authorities took Hayes in, they suspected he was under the influence of something, and a subsequent blood draw at Lawrence Memorial Hospital showed just that: THC (cannabis) and methamphetamine. It was that blood evidence that convinced Hayes to settle for a stipulated bench trial and effectively agree to the guilty plea and a sentencing cap. Despite the agreement, however, Hayes’ attorney, Brad Vaughn, has already issued his intent to file an appeal on the basis of the entry of the blood evidence.
We’ll learn exactly what the sentence will be on April 21, when associate judge Mark Shaner views the presentencing material on Hayes. Be watching for updates at that time.