A Christian County jury convicted Shakkory Willis on burglary and robbery charges Tuesday afternoon but acquitted him on the more serious murder charge.
Court records indicate the jury returned a guilty verdict on the first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor charge. The jury recommended a 15-year prison sentence for the burglary conviction, along with a 15-year sentence for robbery and a three-year sentence on the unlawful transaction with a minor charge. The sentences are to run consecutively, totaling 33-years.
The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the murder charge, and Circuit Judge John Atkins declared a mistrial.
Willis was accused of fatally shooting 20-year old Coryvan Thomas during a burglary and robbery on Short Bethel Street on January 23, 2019.
Police said Willis and his co-defendants in the case were accused of kicking in the door to the home with the intent to rob Thomas and 19-year old Dylan Stewart of drugs and money. Police said during a preliminary hearing in February 2020 that Willis shot Stewart in the leg and shot Thomas three times with a handgun, resulting in his death.
The co-defendants in the case, James Yates, Lane Carter, Tia Ochs, Madison Wilson, and a juvenile, Korey Zivotin, previously accepted plea deals and were sentenced to time in prison for their roles in the case.
Willis will be back in court to be formally sentenced on September 22.
