Two Danville teenagers who are facing charges in a triple murder claim they are innocent. Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy charged 18-year-old Cloanger Robinson and 16-year-old Terrion T. Tinsley with 9 counts of murder each on Friday (January 24, 2020). Lacy decided to prosecute Tinsley as an adult even though he is only sixteen. Bonds for the young suspects were set at $10-million dollars each.
The charges stem from the deaths of 65-year-old Nathaniel Gentry, 60-year-old Anthony Jones, and 67-year-old Cordell Reed, Sr., whose bodies were found inside a home in the 400 block of Elm Street Thursday morning (January 23, 2020).
Police announced Friday that they had taken 3 suspects into custody in connection with the triple homicide investigation. Commander Joshua Webb of the Danville Police Detective Division said two of the three were being held for murder. He said the third is a 17-year-old who is charged with aggravated robbery. All three suspects are males. The name of the 17-year-old was not released.
The charges state that the deaths occurred on Wednesday, January 22nd, but it was the following morning that the victims were found in the home. Commander Webb revealed Friday that the preliminary autopsy results indicate the victims died as the result of stab wounds and blunt force trauma.
According to Webb, during the course of the investigation Danville Detectives spoke with witnesses and received several tips from the community that helped identify three persons of interest. Those persons were then located by Danville Detectives and taken to the Public Safety Building for further investigation. As the investigation continued and more evidence was gathered, the persons of interest became suspects in the case and were taken into custody.
Danville Police and Illinois State Police Investigators have been conducting an extensive investigation since the victims were found.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and anyone who has information that might help is asked to call Danville Police, or call Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at (217) 446-TIPS.
