Man charged in homicide changes lawyers

SYCAMORE – After his lawyer missed six court hearings, an 18-year-old Chicago man accused of first-degree murder in the 2016 shooting death of a DeKalb man has gone with a public defender.

David T. Walls, 18, of the 12000 block of Normal Avenue, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a firearm in connection with the Oct. 6 slaying of 25-year-old Debrece G. Shields.

A conviction on a first-degree murder charge typically is punishable by 20 to 60 years in prison.

Walls was arrested along with Nico L. Griggs, 27, of Park Forest after their getaway vehicle ran out of gas on Peace Road in Sycamore, police said in court records.

Walls’ lawyer, Nate Gordon of Chicago, didn’t show up for six court dates since June 13, and Wednesday, Walls opted to be represented by a public defender, records show.

In January, Gordon filed a motion to reduce Walls’ bond from $5 million to $500,000, with the argument that he’d be easier to represent if he were free on bail.

The motion also said Walls has no previous criminal history and is the youngest child of his mother, who depends on him to help care for his siblings.

Chief Judge Robbin Stuckert denied the motion.

DeKalb police were called about 10:30 p.m. Oct. 6 to a parking lot behind an apartment building at 810 Kimberly Drive, where they found Shields unconscious with at least one gunshot wound, court records show. Shields later died.

According to the records, two guns were found near the getaway vehicle, including a 9 mm handgun that matched the same manufacturer and caliber as spent casings found at the crime scene.

Griggs, who could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted of murder with enhancements, is due back in court Oct. 6.