Prairie State Wire

A Danville man, Kevin Marshall, 35, received a life sentence without parole on September 8, 2025, after being convicted on four charges related to the carjacking and murder of Daniel Walter in April 2020. The charges also included drug trafficking and possession of a firearm as a felon.

During the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce, evidence from Marshall’s August 2024 jury trial was reviewed. The court heard that after his release from custody in January 2020, Marshall used a Taurus handgun to kill Walter at a rural home in Danville. Testimony indicated that Marshall lured Walter out of his truck early in the morning and shot him multiple times at close range before taking his phone and wallet. After initially leaving with Walter’s truck, Marshall returned to shoot Walter again even though he was already deceased.

Following the murder, Marshall spent several months selling methamphetamine until his arrest on August 18, 2020. Forensic analysis linked the Taurus firearm seized during his arrest to both Walter’s murder and other shootings in Danville earlier that year.

Marshall was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2021 for possessing a firearm as a felon. A superseding indictment added charges for carjacking and murder, drug trafficking, and carrying a firearm during drug trafficking activities. His trial took place between July 31 and August 7, 2024. Evidence presented included attempts by Marshall to tamper with witnesses and obstruct proceedings by ordering others to delete social media records and coercing false statements from witnesses. Despite these efforts, the jury found him guilty on all counts.

Before this case, Marshall had been convicted of second-degree murder for killing Latifah Cross in May 2013. In issuing four life sentences—one per conviction—Judge Bruce referenced both murders and noted additional violent conduct as well as witness tampering by Marshall.

Judge Bruce stated that protecting the public from Marshall was among his main concerns.

“The defendant’s violent murder of Daniel Walter, along with his armed distribution of dangerous drugs in our community, show a chilling disregard for human life,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “Our office is dedicated to pursing justice for victims of violence and to protecting our communities from those, like the defendant, who seek to sow harm. We are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their invaluable work on this case.”

Danville Chief of Police Christopher S. Yates commented: “I appreciate the commitment, diligent work, and collaboration of Danville Police officers and detectives, the Illinois State Police, federal agencies, Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing closure to this case and holding the convicted, Kevin Marshall, accountable for his actions... Though the conviction and sentencing of Kevin Marshall does not erase the damage... hopefully this can contribute further to the healing process for family and friends of Daniel Walter.”

Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S. Johnson from FBI Springfield Field Office said: “This sentence holds Kevin Marshall accountable for his unforgivable crimes... Our office and our partners worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome.”

The investigation involved several agencies including local police departments as well as federal agencies such as the FBI Springfield Field Office; Illinois State Police; U.S. Marshals Service; Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; along with prosecution led by Assistant U.S Attorneys Bryan Freres & Eugene Miller with cooperation from Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy.