A Milan man facing a first-degree murder charge in a 2024 drug-related death investigation in rural Sherrard has been released from custody.
43-year-old William DeWitt appeared in Mercer County Circuit Court on Jan. 15, where the defense filed a motion for release. A Mercer County judge granted DeWitt release with conditions, including GPS tracking. He will return to court on April 6.
DeWitt had been in custody at the Mercer County Jail since his arrest in April 2024.
He is facing charges of first-degree murder and a Class X felony of drug-induced homicide stemming from the 2023 death of 63-year-old Anthony Qualls of Sherrard. DeWitt has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
A co-defendant in the case, 54-year-old Susan McFalls of Colona, is due back in court on Feb 3. She is charged with first-degree murder and a Class X felony of drug-induced homicide via accountability. McFalls was granted pretrial release in 2024.