A Hancock County jury convicted Cody Johnson of murder in the 2020 shooting death of Christopher Ellington in Augusta, Illinois. The verdict was reached after a six-day trial, with jurors deliberating for only a few hours.
Johnson, 28, and Michael Garcia, 24, were accused of entering Ellington’s residence to steal drugs, leading to Ellington’s fatal shooting. The two fled to Georgia but were arrested days later and returned to Hancock County, where they have remained in custody.
Garcia pleaded guilty to home invasion before the trial and testified against Johnson. Prosecutors argued Johnson personally fired the fatal shot.
Both men are now scheduled for sentencing in April.
