ANNA, Ill. (ABP) — A man charged with beating and robbing two elderly women at a small-town Baptist church last fall pleaded guilty Aug. 10 to two counts of attempted murder.
Willis Bates
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Willis Bates, 46, of Anna, Ill., was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to the most serious charges filed against him in the Sept. 28 attack at Anna's First Baptist Church. Police say Bates walked into the church office and brutally attacked church treasurer Mary Shepard, 69, and then Leona Mount, 76, a maintenance worker, before making off with about $300.
Tyler Edmonds, Union County State's Attorney, said the outcome is what the victims and their families wanted. "This sentence means that Mr. Bates will spend two decades in prison and the victims and their families will not have to step foot into a courtroom," Edmonds said in a press conference. "The victims, their families and community now have closure and certainty about the outcome of this case."
The prosecutor also read the following statement from Mount and her family: "We would like to thank the community and our church family for all their support. Through your prayers and acts of kindness, God has done great and mighty things. We will never forget how God has used you in this very difficult time in our lives. A special thank you to all the law enforcement and the State's Attorney's Office for all their dedication and hard work that has made this day another milestone in the healing and restoration process. Thanks again to each and everyone. To God be the Glory."
Tony Foeller, pastor of First Baptist Church of Anna, was in his office when the attack occurred but could not hear the ruckus because of a noisy window air conditioner.
"We are grateful for a just conclusion to what has proven to be a very difficult, yet marvelously blessed, 10-plus months," Foeller said Aug. 11. "What is important to us is that God is glorified in the midst of all our circumstances: the good times and the bad times."
After the robbery Bates fled Anna, a normally quiet town of 5,000 in southern Illinois. He was apprehended a week later at a motel 25 miles away in Marion, Ill., by state police following up on a tip.
Master Sgt. William Sons of the Illinois State Police said that, at the height of the investigation, up to 40 officers from various police agencies were working together on the case.
Edmonds said both of the women have made "tremendous progress" toward recovery, crediting their faith and the prayers and support of the community, but that both have injuries they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Mount, who had reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation for numerous facial fractures, talked to local ABC affiliate WSIL television by phone but said she was still too emotional to be interviewed on camera.
When Bates entered his guilty plea, Shepard, whose injuries included a concussion and fractured skull, was in St. Louis for continuing medical treatments — nearly 11 months after the attack.
Foeller said it appeared the families were ready to "turn the page" and attempt to put the experience behind them.
"We are as committed today as we were on the day these horrible events took place to be a resource to these ladies, their families and our community," the pastor said. "We covet your continued prayers."
Due to the severity of the charges, Bates must serve at least 85 percent of his term, meaning that even with a possibility of early release he will serve more than 20 years behind bars.
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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.
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