Champaign man sentenced 25 years for 2024 double-homicide
Share this @internewscast.com

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — One man in Champaign County is pleading guilty to the murder of two people.

The incident took place last year during a pop-up party near Cynthia and Anita Drives in Champaign. Corey Butler, aged 22, faced 10 charges of murder and one charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, but he is now having most of these charges dropped through a plea agreement.

The Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office stated that Butler pleaded guilty to one charge of first-degree murder prior to trial proceedings. As part of the agreement, the remaining charges were dismissed, resulting in Butler receiving a 25-year prison sentence.

Police reported that in July of the previous year, they responded to a call at an apartment complex parking lot, where four individuals had been shot. Among those were 18-year-olds George Dorris-Rodgers and Daniyjah Staple, who both lost their lives.

Now almost a year later, Staple’s cousin said he’s glad to have a conviction, even though he was hoping Butler would spend more time behind bars.

“I did talk to some friends. They were actually, had the same reaction as most of us,” said Dajuan Lane, cousin of Daniyjah Staple. “They were thinking this sentence wasn’t that long or there should have been more, or even worse. So, a lot of us had the same reaction for it.”

Lane said he and Staple were close growing up, and he will continue to help make sure her memory lives on.

He also said he’s been talking to local officials about a way to honor his cousin in Champaign. Lane said those talks are still ongoing.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Heroic Sibling Rescue: How an Older Brother Saved His 10-Year-Old Sister in a Hawkins County ATV Accident

What began as a typical Saturday evening in Hawkins County quickly transformed…

Community Outcry Escalates: Arrests Spark Controversy 100 Days Post Rainbow Crosswalk Removal

In Orlando, Florida, a crosswalk near the former Pulse nightclub has become…

Trader Joe’s Set to Open First Melbourne Location This December, Company Announces

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The eagerly awaited Trader Joe’s store in Central Florida…

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reveals Additional Artists for Its 2026 ’25 Artists for 25 Years’ Celebration

The Birthplace of Country Music has unveiled the first 25 artists set…

Legionnaires’ Disease Alert: Ocoee Gym Under Investigation for Potential Outbreak

OCOEE, Fla. – A cloud of concern hovers over a local fitness…

SpaceX Schedules Florida Rocket Launch for Early Monday Morning

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – In the early hours of Monday, SpaceX is…

Ex-CIA Employee from Afghanistan Commits Shooting in DC After Cross-Country Drive

Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old who once served with an agency in Afghanistan,…

Survivors of Hong Kong Apartment Fire Reflect on Their Next Steps

HONG KONG – It was a typical afternoon when William Li received…

Brace for Impact: Thanksgiving Travelers Face Snow, Rain, and Chilly Weather Conditions

As Thanksgiving travelers began their journeys, snow and cold temperatures have already…

Post-Thanksgiving Travel Alert: Snow, Rain, and Cold Weather Set to Impact Journeys

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend continues, travelers should brace themselves for a…

Escalating Tensions: Russian Strikes Claim Lives in Kyiv Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push for Peace in Ukraine

KYIV – In the early hours of Saturday, Kyiv faced a deadly…

Orlando’s Small Businesses Gear Up for Record-Breaking Saturday Shopping Rush

ORLANDO, Fla. – In a bid to accommodate the influx of shoppers,…