A Bloomington man was sentenced to 75 years in prison on Thursday after being convicted of first-degree murder at a bench trial in March.
Desmond S. Sterling, 23, was convicted in the shooting death of Kiejoun Watts, 20. Charges accused Sterling of shooting Watts in the head behind Victory Church, located southeast of Bloomington.
Prior to the sentencing, Sterling’s public defender, Brian McEldowney, motioned for either acquittal or a new trial for his client. He argued that before trial, Judge William Yoder allowed potentially prejudicial and “minimally relevant” evidence such as social media videos and photographs of the defendant with guns and ammunition to be presented at the trial.
Additionally, McEldowney argued the prosecutors' case was purely circumstantial, and they did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Sterling committed the crime — only that he was with the victim on the day of the murder.
But Yoder upheld the conviction, giving “little, if any” weight to the photographs, and that the evidence the prosecution presented was “overwhelming to show the defendant’s guilt.” He noted there is substantial evidence from surveillance footage, cell phone tower pings, and eyewitness testimony to track Sterling’s movements to the murder scene and when he fled to Chicago following the crime.
Additionally, while no murder weapon was found, gunshot residue from a gun shown to be similar to the one used in the murder was found on the clothing that Sterling was wearing the day of the shooting.
The victim’s mother and grandmother both delivered victim impact statements at the hearing. Both pointed out the cold and calculated nature of the crime, as well as the pain their family has gone through following the murder. They both drew attention to the perception that Sterling has shown no remorse for his actions, and that in the days following the murder he apparently contacted members of Watts’ family to “taunt” them about his death.
The prosecution asked Yoder to sentence Sterling to 95 years in prison — 60 years for the murder and an additional 35 years on a firearms enhancement charge due to the manner of the murder. Prosecutor Emily Young pointed to Sterling’s criminal history [he was previously convicted of felony burglary] and his conduct while in jail. Since his arrest, Sterling has committed seven minor and nine major rule violations, including multiple instances of assault and battery, said authorities.
McEldowney asked for leniency for his client— 45 years in prison, including 20 for the murder and another 25 for the firearms enhancement. He pointed out that Sterling had a “difficult upbringing,” with his mother having her parental rights terminated over him, and having little contact with his father. He also pointed out Sterling has been diagnosed with both ADHD and bipolar disorder, and that he admits an addiction to cannabis for which he is interested in seeking treatment.
Yoder agreed with the prosecution that Sterling has proven to be a threat to the community, and that the crime is serious enough to warrant a harsh sentence in the name of deterrence. The judge said he considered Sterling’s youth and potential mitigating circumstances when coming to his decision, and ultimately issued a sentence of 75 years: 50 for the murder and 25 for the firearms enhancement.
Sterling also was ordered to pay $75 in fines and more than $4,000 in restitution to the victim’s family.
