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Seven Arrested in Tinkham Case Plead Not Guilty

T.J. Carson
The home on Emery Street where 19-year-old Dakota Tinkham of Galesburg was found with a gunshot wound, and later pronounced dead.

The seven people accused in the death of 19-year-old Dakota Tinkham of Galesburg were back in court Tuesday.  Each pleaded not guilty and they each asked for a jury trial.

Only reporters and the parents of the seven suspects were allowed in the courtroom, a safety precaution taken after an outburst by a relative of Tinkham’s during a court hearing March 21. Tinkham was found dead in his home a few days prior from a gunshot wound.

On April 1, Knox County State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer presented a grand jury with revised charges against the seven. Pepmeyer declined to explain why the charges were revised. The grand jury agreed to the changes.

The revised charges are:

  • Jovendia Willaims, 18, of Galesburg: one count of 1st degree murder, four counts home invasion, and one count residential burglary.
  • Miguel Romo, 19, of Galesburg: one count of 1st degree murder, four counts home invasion, and one count residential burglary.
  • A 17-year-old juvenile:  one count of 1st degree murder, four counts home invasion, one count residential burglary, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
  • A 16-year-old juvenile:  one count of 1st degree murder, four counts home invasion, and one count residential burglary.
  • Raymond Gable, 18, of Galesburg: one count of residential burglary.
  • Dalton McKee, 20, of Monmouth:  one count of residential burglary.
  • Charles Posey, 18, of Alexis:  one count of residential burglary.

McKee is the only one with a private attorney. The other six have public defenders.
The next hearing for all seven will be a pre-trial hearing on June 6.