ROCKFORD -- Daniel C. Martin has pleaded guilty to the November 8 murder of his girlfriend Melinda S. Shinn.
Shinn's was the first murder for the Rockford community, a town of about 1,100 people in northern Mercer County. Martin, who was 40 at the time, is accused of shooting and killing Shinn, while her 9-year-old son was in the home.
Martin was arrested January 2 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Police say an AK-47 assault rifle was discovered in the home where he was found. It was unclear at the time of the arrest who owned the rifle.
Martin is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. June 27 in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. He faces 15 years to life in prison for the murder charge and an additional three years for the weapon specification.
Previous coverage:
JANUARY 2: Rockford Murder Suspect Captured
NOVEMBER 9: Rockford Community Still Shaken Following its First Ever Murder
Shinn's was the first murder for the Rockford community, a town of about 1,100 people in northern Mercer County. Martin, who was 40 at the time, is accused of shooting and killing Shinn, while her 9-year-old son was in the home.
Martin was arrested January 2 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Police say an AK-47 assault rifle was discovered in the home where he was found. It was unclear at the time of the arrest who owned the rifle.
Martin is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. June 27 in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. He faces 15 years to life in prison for the murder charge and an additional three years for the weapon specification.
Previous coverage:
JANUARY 2: Rockford Murder Suspect Captured
NOVEMBER 9: Rockford Community Still Shaken Following its First Ever Murder
