Sentencing delayed for man convicted in 2018 Bloomington triple murder

Posted on April 16, 2021
Sydney Mays Jr. of Bloomington, talks with a member of his legal team in the courtroom at the Law and Justice Cener Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Sydney Mays’ sentencing was delayed Thursday after the 24-year-old convicted murderer said he wanted a new lawyer.

Mays was convicted in February on all charges he was facing, including nine counts of first degree murder. At the time, Judge Casey Costigan said Mays was no doubt the one who shot and killed Corey Jackson, Nathaniel Pena, and Juan Carlos Perez-Macedo.

While speaking for his now former client, defense attorney Mike Clancy said he and his client could not agree on how to go about seeking a new trial for Mays.

“Judge I do believe and that through those conversations we definitely had a breakdown in communication between the two of us…and I’m asking to withdraw and that Mr. Mays be given a short amount of time to bring in council,” said Clancy.

Judge Costigan gave Mays a month to find a new lawyer before he would proceed with sentencing. Mays will be back in court for a status hearing on May 14.

Family of the victims did not want to comment Thursday, but were visibly upset over the sentencing being pushed back.

If eventually sentenced, Mays would likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…