Judge Kauzlarich presided in-person for the Jury Pre-Trial for Daylon Richardson, who is charged with the murder of Knox County Deputy, Deputy Nick Weist, on April 29, 2022. Daylon Richardson remains in custody without bond. State’s Attorney Runty and Defense Attorney Carmen met with Judge Kauzlarich in chambers to discuss a “big issue” discovered with the case. The public was not informed of the big issue but Judge Kauzlarich said herself, State’s Attorney Cathy Runty and Defense Attorney Bruce Carmen need to research the issue and communicate with each other their findings. A 5-7 day Jury Trial could happen as soon as the end of July. The Jury Pre-Trial was continued to April 25, 2023, at 1 PM, any pending Motions will be heard on April 25th as well. A Final Pre-Trial is anticipated in June and a possible Jury Trial in July.
Richardson is charged with two (2) counts of Murder (Class M Felony), Possessions of a firearm by a felon (Class 2 Felony) and Aggravated Fleeing to Elude (Class 4 Felony). Daylon Richardson is accused of killing Deputy Nicholas “Nick” Weist after the vehicle he was driving crashed after hitting stop sticks in Henry County. The Galesburg Police responded to a call of a male subject with a gun at the Circle K gas station around 8 AM on April 29, 2022. Galesburg police attempted a traffic stop on the green Ford Taurus but the subject fled at a high rate of speed north on Henderson. Around Knox County Road 2700, the driver of the vehicle shot three times at the pursuing officers. Deputy Weist, from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, was preparing stop strips on Highway 150 just inside Henry County. The fleeing vehicle crashed into the ditch after hitting the stop strips; hitting Deputy Weist as it crashed into the ditch. Life Flight was dispatched to the scene and life saving measures were taken to save Deputy Weist; However, Deputy Weist died at the scene.
