Lewistown, IL – A Keokuk pleaded guilty to numerous charges on Wednesday, just before his murder retrial was about to begin. Daniel Ramsey was accused of killing two Hancock County girls in 1996 and trying to kill three other people.
The 29-year old Ramsey pleaded guilty to four counts of first degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count each of aggravated criminal sexual assault and home invasion.
No deals were made to reduce Ramsey's possible sentence. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty.
Ramsey was sentenced to death after being convicted of the crimes in 1997, but the Illinois Supreme Court overturned that conviction on a technicality.
Extra information:
*The girls killed by Ramsey were 16-year old Laura Marson of Basco and 12-year old Lonna Sloop of Burnside. Marson was also sexually assaulted by Ramsey.
*The 1997 verdict was overturned because the Illinois Supreme Court found the insanity statute as it was passed at the time to be unconstitutional.
*The retrial was originally scheduled to be heard in McDonough County. But before it could begin, Judge Steven Bordner decided to move it to Fulton County, saying more courtrooms were available in Lewistown and it's closer to the Peoria Airport, which would make it easier for expert witnesses who might be flown in.