Jordyn Thornton was convicted Thursday in the October 2018 shooting death of Trevonte Kirkwood.
The victim was shot three times as he walked along a sidewalk in the 1300 block of North Oak Street in Bloomington. Friends told police he was walking off his frustration about car trouble that delayed plans with friends that night.
During a week of testimony, jurors heard from witnesses who knew Thornton and his intense need for recognition as a gang member. Thornton did not know Kirkwood, witnesses said, but killed him because Kirkwood was associated with others who had drawn the ire of The 200’s, a local hybrid gang.
Defense lawyer Ron Lewis argued during the trial that Bloomington police conducted a shoddy investigation. Evidence was put together in a “cut and paste” fashion to suit the police theory that Thornton committed the murder, said Lewis.
Thornton faces 20 to 60 years in prison and an additional 15 years for firing a weapon during the crime.
