A McLean County Jury has convicted a 19-year old Bloomington man of murder in the kicking and beating death of a homeless man. Anthony Davis-Dickson will be sentenced to up to life in prison for the death of Ronald Smith in White Oak Park on Bloomington's west side. State's Attorney Jason Chambers says the extended term is possible because of the wanton cruelty and callous nature of the crime.
Smith was targeted for a robbery on June 2nd of last year, and the stomping continued after he was subdued. Two other men pleaded guilty and will receive lesser, but substantial sentences. 19-year old Willie Chambers could be sentenced to up to 60 years and 20-year old Tory Washington faces a maximum of 35 years in prison. Jurors rejected Dickson's defense assertion that the incident began as an attempt to protect two girls Smith had been bothering. Smith died later of an infection resulting from ruptured organs.
