Cindy Stearns
WILLIAMSON CO., Ill.—A woman who was determined to have been accountable for her elderly father’s murder has been sentenced in Williamson County circuit court.
Cindy Stearns, 55, of Freeman Spur, has been jailed since her arrest in the murder of her father, Charles R. James, 73, also of Freeman Spur. The murder occurred May 24, 2011; Stearns was taken into custody the next day.
The 75-year sentence was imposed yesterday by Judge John Speroni; this followed a May jury trial.
Stearns wasn’t actually the trigger-person; nevertheless, she was charged and then convicted of two counts of First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm after authorities successfully presented that she was the person responsible for the shooting death of her father. Two others in the case, Joshua Dallacosta, 18, and his mother, Kate Bodie, 38, were actually found to have been the ones wielding the .38 cal and 9 millimeter handguns that ended James’ life and seriously wounded yet another person, Ly Johnson, 63, of Harrisburg. They are serving prison sentences for their roles in the crime, which was over James’ will. Johnson said she played dead after being grazed by a bullet to the head, then went to a neighbor’s house for help; this was what ultimately lead to the arrests of those involved.
During trial, evidence was presented that showed Stearns had offered Bodie and Dallacosta a residence on her father’s property if they did the deed. That offer was what lead to the accountability of Stearns as regards the murder of her father, as it was considered “plotting” to kill him. Why she wasn’t charged with Solicitation remains one of those mysteries that seems to only happen in Williamson County.
Stearns’ prosecution was lead by Assistant State’s Attorney Sean de Mello; Therese Thien, public defender, represented Stearns.