Jaylin Bones found guilty in 2022 Bloomington murder (2024)

BLOOMINGTON — Jaylin S. Bones has been found guilty of murder in the 2022 shooting death of Timothy Manns.

A McLean County juryreturned the verdict Tuesday afternoon after about seven and half hours of deliberations.

Bones, 24, ofBloomington is also convicted of attempt first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, after Assistant State's Attorneys Mary Lawson and David Rossi said Bones had gotten into an altercation with 29-year-old Manns on Jan. 24, 2022, while trying to rob Manns of his firearm, and ultimately shot Manns twice with another gun.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 30, during which Judge Jason Chambers will also hear post-trial motions filed by either party.

Bones is eligible for a sentence between 45 years and natural life in prison for the offense of first-degree murder, according to the State's Attorney's Office. He will be required to serve 100% of his sentence, per Illinois statute.

"My baby had the brightest smile and he warmed this world. He was the most giving person here, he would give the shirt off his back," she said, with tears in her eyes. "He would have given what they wanted."

In a statement issued after the verdict, State's Attorney Erika Reynolds thanked Bloomington Sgt. Paul Jones, Detective Pedro Diaz and the assistant state's attorneys for their hard work.

"Justice was reached on behalf of the victim in this case," she said. "It is important to acknowledge that nothing we do in the courtroom will ease the pain of the loss of a loved one, but it is our hope that this will provide some peace to the victim's family and friends."

During his closing argument Monday, Bones’ attorney Bryan McIntyre said the state’s evidence could not definitively prove the defendant was the murderer, offering two other possible suspects for the crime.

However, Lawson told the jury Bones’ could be identified by his clothing and his car, which both of which he got rid of after the shooting. She also noted gunshot residue was found on the gearshift of Bones’ car.

In addition to this, deleted videos that police recovered showed Bones on the day of Manns death holding what appeared to be a Smith & Wesson handgun, the same firearm believed to have been used to kill Manns. This weapon was never recovered. Lawson said Bones intentionally got rid of any evidence connecting him to the murder.

Lawson argued through "small pieces" of evidence, a bigger picture of the story may be painted in which Bones was, without a doubt, the killer.

Noting the license plate, Lawson said video surveillance evidence clearly showed Bones' white Honda traveling near the location of the murder right before and right after the shooting, which was believed to be driven by Bones.

McIntyre disagreed, saying the vehicle could have been any white car.

Instead of Bones, McIntyre placed blame on two men who were present at the apartment the night of the murder, referencing a text sent between the two men in which one told the other to rob Manns.

According to testimonies from police, cellphone data revealed this message was never opened.

Tommy Manns, Timothy Manns' father, thanked the Bloomington Police Department and the prosecutors for their diligence in bringing the Manns family justice in this case, speaking on behalf of his entire family in their gratitude through the investigation.

"Justice has been served," he told The Pantagraph. "We got the guy that killed our son."

Echoing her parents, Timothy Manns' sister, Jenny Manns, said her brother did not deserve to die.

"My brother was amazing," said said, holding up her hands. "I also just want thank the state's attorneys and the Bloomington Police Department and anybody that helped in this case, so that my brother got the justice that he deserves because he so deserves justice."

His other sister, Courtney Davis said, "Our lives have been dark for almost two and a half years now; we've been living in darkness. Today, they gave us a little bit of light."

TJ Manns, older brother to Timothy Manns, agreed with his siblings and parents and said, "We're always going to have Timmy in our hearts and memories."