New details were released at the Preliminary Hearing for Justin Kentner regarding the First Degree Murder of Clifton Parks on April 1, 2023. According to testimony from Detective Michael Minx, from the Kewanee Police Department, the two teenage males and Clifton Parks exchanged words and insults in the 800 Block of E. 3rd Street when a fight ensued between them. The two teenage males chased Clifton Parks and knocked him to the ground at the intersection of Hope Way and N. Lakeview streets, which is where police found him laying in the road bleeding. The 16-year-old male was identified as Jeremy Colombani after he was charged as an adult with First Degree Murder in the death of Clifton. Justin Kentner joined the teenage males after Clifton was on the ground and began striking Clifton with his fists, according to witness statements. Kentner originally told Officer Jacob Lang that he saw the incident but returned to his apartment in Fairview. Kentner later told Detective Andrew Kingdom that he was on top of Clifton hitting him when he noticed a lot of blood. He said he returned to his apartment to wash the blood off him; However, he discarded his bloody clothes when he heard Clifton was dead. He told Detective Kingdom where to find his discarded clothes and Kewanee Police retrieved the bloody clothes. Judge Colby Hathaway found probable cause and set the case for Jury Pre-Trial on June 15, 2023, 1 PM.
Justin Kentner, 34, of Kewanee remains in custody on a $50,000 (10%). Kentner is charged with Aggravated Battery/Public Place (Class 3 Felony) and Obstructing Justice/Destroy Evidence (Class 4 Felony). Andrea Peach, 35, of Kewanee was issued a Notice to Appear for Obstructing Justice and given a court date on May 22, 2023, at 1 PM.
Jeremy S Colombani, 16, of Kewanee is charged with two (2) counts of First Degree Murder (Class M Felony), Aggravated Battery/Great Bodily Harm (Class 3 Felony), Obstructing Justice/Destroy Evidence (Class 4 Felony) and Mob Action (Class 4 Felony). A Jury Pre-Trial is scheduled for May 11, 2023, at 9 AM. The 14-year-old male was charged in Juvenile court with two (2) counts of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery and Mob Action. Both teenagesr remains in custody of the Mary Davis Juvenile Detention Center in Galesburg.
