DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — It took more than a decade to make an arrest in the 2011 murder of Caleb Witty. During that time, police conducted dozens of interviews and followed up on thousands of tips.
The 17-year-old was gunned down while walking home from the Decatur Celebration with his younger sister. Decatur police said two men approached the siblings and demanded money. One of the men struck Witty's sister with a gun, and as she ran away, she heard a gunshot.
Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel emphasized the department’s dedication to the case, stating they had an "unwavering commitment to seeking justice for Caleb," describing him as a young man "simply trying to enjoy an evening at the Decatur Celebration with his sister."
In the summer of 2024, Decatur police announced the arrests of Michael Wallace and Bobby Gipson in connection to Witty's death. Both suspects were booked into the Macon County Jail.
The criminal case is still in its early stages in Macon County Circuit Court. During a routine hearing on Thursday, Gipson’s attorney told the court she is still reviewing the extensive case materials and noted that Decatur Police received thousands of tips related to the murder and they followed up on all of them. Due to the sheer volume of tips, she explained that the evidence against her client will take time to piece together.
Newly elected Macon County State's Attorney Diane Couri agreed, explaining that both sides will need to carefully examine the substantial amount of evidence.
There is no timeline for when the case against Wallace and Gipson will go to trial. Gipson will appear before a judge again in June, while Wallace will appear in April.
Gipson and Wallace have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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