A Vermilion County Circuit Court jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts this afternoon (Monday) in the 2017 murder of a Danville woman. Jurors deliberated about three hours before finding 30-year-old Ocheil Keys of Danville guilty of First-Degree Murder, Dismembering a Human Body/ Mutilation by Fire, and Concealment of a Homicidal Death. The charges had been filed following the discovery of human remains after 50-year-old Barbara Rose was reported missing nearly four years ago.
Testimony at the week-long trial indicated Keys had been living with Rose and was her boyfriend prior to when she vanished.
Circuit Judge Nancy Fahey denied a defense motion for a directed verdict of acquittal after both sides rested their case. Keys had decided not to testify.
Assistant Illinois Attorney General Dan Weiler, in closing arguments, reminded jurors about security video they had seen from Wal-Mart and two gas stations showing Keys purchasing gas, a comforter and plastic tarps. Weiler also noted some human remains were found in the mother’s car of the defendant – and Key’s fingerprint was found on the bag containing those partial remains. Weiler also said the video surveillance showed Keys buying gasoline and a lighter only hours after Barbara Rose was last seen.
‘’Send a message that he has not gotten away with these crimes! Find him guilty on each and every charge,’’ Weiler pleaded with jurors.
Defense attorney Sandra Lawlyes noted no human DNA was found on some evidence which had been gathered at the victim’s home. She also noted Keys was excluded as contributing to a profile on a swab of a shirt. ‘’Who is the other profile?’’ – asked Lawlyes.
‘’How do we know this is a homicidal death? How do we know it’s not suicide?’’ – asked Lawlyes at one point during her closing arguments. And Lawlyes claimed there is no physical evidence that Keys dismembered Rose’s body. Jurors, though, thought otherwise as they convicted Keys on all counts.
Judge Fahey revoked Key’s bond, ordering that he be held without bond until his sentencing on September 2nd, 2021.
