Bond set for man charged in death of homeless man
URBANA — Bond has been set at $550,000 for a Champaign man arrested in the murder of a homeless man Friday in Champaign.
Jermaine L. Davis, 36, who listed an address in the 300 block of East Park Street, Champaign, pleaded innocent on Monday to two counts of first-degree murder. One count alleges that Davis struck and kicked Russell Allen Stokes, 54, who was listed as homeless, knowing that it created a strong probability of causing his death. The second count alleges that Davis struck and kicked Mr. Stokes, causing his death.
If convicted of either count, Davis could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison.
Meanwhile, a second person arrested in connection with the incident, Constance Y. Chapple, 45, who listed an address in the 300 block of East Park Street, Champaign, asked for more time to hire an attorney.
Chapple is charged with obstructing justice for allegedly obstructing Davis' prosecution by destroying evidence by cleaning and removing blood evidence following a battery. Chapple is also charged with concealment of a homicidal death for allegedly removing Mr. Stokes' body from the scene.
According to a Champaign police report, officers were called to the 300 block of East Park Street about 8:30 a.m. Friday to respond to a report of an unconscious man found lying next to a building.
The man, identified as Mr. Stokes, was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where he died at 12:54 p.m. Sunday, according to Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup.
Northrup said an autopsy conducted in Bloomington on Monday indicated that Mr. Stokes died from brain and neck trauma as a result of an assault.
Judge John Kennedy set Davis' next court appearance for Oct. 7.
Kennedy set Chapple's bond for $25,000 and scheduled a Sept. 27 court date for her to appear with her attorney.
This is a tragedy that struck my whole family. I will miss my uncle dearly. He was a good man and definitely a family man. This was a senseless act that has brought and abundance of pain to my family. RIP Uncle Russell ...........By the way, he was not a homeless man, that needs to be corrected asap.
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