During Monday's court appearance for the seven people accused in the shooting death of Dakota Tinkham, one of the dead teen's relatives yelled at the suspects, telling them he hoped they rot in prison.
The person was escorted from the courtroom. The Knox County State's Attorney's office said it is taking the outburst seriously and will review whether it should be considered a viable threat.
The suspects include five adults: Miguel Romo, 19, of Galesburg; Jovendia Williams, 18, of Galesburg; Raymond Gable, 18, of Galesburg; Charles Posey, 18, of Alexis; and Dalton McKee, 20, of Monmouth.
Two juveniles, ages 17 and 16, are also charged in the case.
The suspects were in court to have preliminary hearings set. Six of those hearings were scheduled for April 5 in Knox County Court. McKee is waiting to hire a private attorney and is scheduled for another hearing this week.
The State’s Attorney’s Office said it wants to have all seven in at the same time to help speed up the cases, and bring in all witnesses at once.
Dakota Tinkham was found unresponsive in his home at 1126 Emery Street last week. The 19-year-old had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Four of the seven suspects face four counts each of first degree murder, and all seven are charged with four counts each of home invasion and three counts each of armed robbery.
