A Danville man has been sentenced to twenty-four years in prison for his conviction on second-degree murder charges.  Circuit Judge Michael Clary handed down the sentence Tuesday on 27-year-old Alvin Beasley for the December shooting death of 17-year-old Deyron Mullins.

Beasley had originally been charged with first-degree murder, but jurors returned a conviction on second-degree murder instead.

Assistant Vermilion County State’s Attorney Sandra Lawlyes urged Judge Clary to sentence Beasley to an extended term of 30 years. ‘’By everyone’s account, this young man (Mullins) turned to run away and was shot in the back,’’ argued Lawlyes.  ‘’How is that a threat to this defendant?’’  She added, ‘’At the end of the day he was a 17-year-old child.  He died doing nothing wrong,’’ argued Lawlyes. 

But defense attorney Larry Mills reminded the court that Beasley should be sentenced on the charge for which he was convicted, second-degree murder.   Mills argued Beasley believed the shooting was justifiable because he thought he was in danger.

Beasley turned and addressed both families in the courtroom before Judge Clary passed sentence.  ‘’I take ownership for what I did,’’ said Beasley.   ‘’I hope God forgives me.’’  Beasley added he hopes those in the courtroom are able to move on with their lives.

The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on December 23^rd of 2011.   Testimony during a trial in June indicated there was a party going on at the home on Quincy Street where the shooting occurred.   The testimony indicated Beasley pulled up in car, got into an argument and pulled a gun….ordering people not to move.   Mullins began to run away and that is when he was shot in the back.

‘’The purpose of the court is not to enact revenge,’’ said Judge Clary prior to passing sentence in the case.  The judge added that although the case has had a permanent impact on both the Mullins and Beasley families, he was not going to pass sentence based on emotion.

Judge Clary then cited Beasley’s past criminal history, noting he has served prison time on charges including armed robbery and aggravated battery.   Judge Clary said Beasley had not learned from past mistakes, ‘’even after harsh punishment’’.     And Judge Clary added the extended term sentence in this case was necessary to deter others from getting out of a car and pulling a weapon.