May 3, 2021
Peter Schwartzman along with new City Council members, Dwight White and Sarah Davis, will take the oath of office just before tonight’s meeting. Also, Monday, May 3rd, will see returning Alderman Wayne Dennis and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz sworn into new terms. 9th Circuit Judge Raymond Cavanaugh is expected to administer the oaths. Schwartzman moved to Galesburg in 1998 to launch Knox College’s Environmental Studies program, shortly after earning his Ph.D. Since then he’s helped to start three Galesburg-focused non-profits, operated a community center for 3 years, wrote a book, started a podcast, and spent a decade on the city council. Galesburg Public Library Foundation recognized these efforts by awarding him the Mike Kroll Community Service Award in 2019. There was also be a reception beginning at 5 p.m. tonight, prior to the meeting that will honor the outgoing mayor and council members. John Pritchard, Wayne Allen, and Corine Andersen represent a collecti
Man pleads guilty of murder, battery in September stabbing
GALESBURG The man accused of stabbing a Texas man in the parking lot of Galesburg s Baymont Hotel has now pled guilty.
Julio Flores pled guilty Monday for second degree murder and aggravated battery. Per State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin, the first charge is a Class 1 Felony punishable by 4-20 years, and the second is a Class 3 felony punishable from two to five years in prison. Flores will be sentenced in July.
“After evaluating the potential testimony of witnesses and physical evidence and after discussing the case thoroughly with the decedent’s mother and investigators, I am satisfied that second degree murder is the most appropriate resolution of the case. The length of the sentence is now in Judge (Raymond) Cavanaugh’s hands,” Karlin said in an emailed statement Monday evening.
Galesburg Register-Mail
GALESBURG Dennis Little III pleaded guilty Tuesday to Attempt (First Degree Murder) for his attempts to stab Galesburg Police Officer Pat Kisler on Oct. 30, 2018.
Pursuant to his plea, he was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, of which he will have to serve 85% of the sentence. He will receive credit for 829 days in custody. All other remaining charges against Little were dismissed.
At the sentencing hearing, Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin gave a factual basis for the plea. He said that Kisler responded to a trespassing complaint about Little for an apartment in Moon Towers in Galesburg. When he arrived at the apartment he attempted to get Little to leave. At first, Little opened the door, yelled “suicide by cop” brandishing two knives and then started to slam the door. Kisler and another officer prevented Little from closing the door. After pushing back and forth on the door, Little stopped pushing on th
Dennis Little III of Galesburg pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder charges for stabbing a Galesburg police officer. Karlin says Little will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence but will get credit for 829 days served. He has been in Knox County Jail custody since his arrest over 2 years ago on $1 million bond. Prosecutors in the early stages of Little's case said he had prior felony convictions and had previously threatened a public official. Karlin in laying the factual basis in court said that Kisler responded to a trespassing complaint about Little at Moon Towers. Kisler was attempting to get Little to leave, and Little opened the door brandished two knives, said "suicide by cop", and slammed the door. Kisler and another officer tried to prevent the door from closing, pushing back and forth. When Kisler gained entry he felt Little stab him a couple of times in the abdomen although he was not injured, protected by bulletproof and extra bullet cartridges