Brandon Whiteman, 21, was back in court on Friday, August 19. He is charged with first degree murder in the death of Dalton Rose, also 21.
In his appearance before Judge Nigel Graham, Whiteman waived his right to a preliminary hearing and asked for a jury trial. Whiteman is pleading not guilty.
Court documents show Whiteman is accused of stabbing Rose in the neck area, resulting in Rose’s death. The stabbing happened after a verbal altercation.
The attack happened in the 100 block of North Lafayette Street in downtown Macomb during the early morning hours of July 24.
Neither Whiteman nor Rose were students at Western Illinois University or Spoon River College.
If convicted, Whiteman would face 20 to 60 years in prison.
Members of both families filled the main courtroom at the McDonough County courthouse for the latest hearing. More than half-a-dozen law officers were also on hand.
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