Man sentenced to life in prison for Decatur double murder

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A Decatur man who was on trial for shooting and killing two people last summer has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder.

Raheim D. Davis, 30, was on trial for the murders of 19-year-old Karlondus Thomas and 30-year-old Andrell O'Neal, both of Decatur.

During Wednesday's hearing, both families sat shoulder to shoulder in the Macon County Courthouse.

During victim impact statements, O'Neal's sister told the court O'Neal was a father and loved by his family.

"His life is going to continue to live on," said Arlisa Snell, O'Neal's sister.

Thomas' family described the 19-year-old as loving and someone who cared deeply about his family.

"There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss his," said Melinda Thomas, mother. "He was loving and he was my son."

When presented the opportunity to address the court before the judge ordered the sentencing, Davis decline to comment.

According to the coroner, both men were killed by gunfire. The shootings occurred in another location in town, and the victims were driven to South Webster Street by a third person seeking help on July 21, 2023.

Davis was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Wednesday.