A Bushnell teenager pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his father.
Davin Purden, now 19, is one of the teenagers charged in the June 2023 shooting death of Travis Purden, 43, who was found face down on the floor of his home in Bushnell. He had been shot in the face several times.
Davin Purden appeared in a McDonough County courtroom Monday afternoon wearing a jail jumpsuit with green and white horizontal stripes, his hair cut short.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 14. Purden faces a mandatory 20 to 60 years in prison and will be required to serve 100% of the sentence.
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a second charge of first-degree murder that was enhanced because a gun was used in the crime. Purden would have faced even more prison time if convicted on that charge.
Nicholas Lafary, 18, of Bushnell was also arrested for the shooting death of Purden’s father.
State’s Attorney Matt Kwacala said Davin Purden admitted he went to the home with thoughts of killing his father. Kwacala said Lafary provided the weapon.
A pretrial hearing for Lafary is scheduled for next month.
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