Jury finds Springfield suspect not guilty of murder, guilty of battery

UPDATE: 6/14/23

Dalton McDermott is free on a $10,000 bond after a jury found him not guilty of murder. McDermott was accused of killing a Springfield bar owner in January of 2022.

Last week a jury found McDermott not guilty of first degree murder and two aggravated battery charges, but did find him guilty on one aggravated battery charge. A judge ordered he be held on a $10,000 bond until sentencing. McDermott posted bail the following day.

He is set to be sentenced August 5th, 2023.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A murder suspect accused of killing a bar owner in Springfield has entered a not guilty plea.

On the night of Dec. 31, authorities said 27-year-old Dalton McDermott attacked 80-year-old Parkway Pub owner Angelo Manci. Manci died at a local hospital after suffering a brain bleed, a fractured jaw, a fractured orbital bone and other injuries.

McDermott is also accused of battering a man in his 50's before fleeing the scene.

He faces charges of first degree murder and aggravated battery in Sangamon County. After pleading not guilty, a pre-trial hearing was set for March 14.