Last defendant in Danville triple murder sentenced to life in prison

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The third and final defendant to be convicted of murder in a Danville triple homicide received his sentence on Tuesday.

The Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office said Cloanger Robinson, 22, was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Derek Girton. A Vermilion County jury convicted Robinson in May of murdering Nathaniel Gentry, Anthony Jones and Cordell Reed — in 2020. Reed was Robinson’s great uncle and Jones was Robinson’s uncle.

All three men were in their 60s and were stabbed and bludgeoned to death. It was a crime Judge Girton said was the most “brutal and senseless” he had seen in his 35 years on the bench.

Evidence revealed that on Jan. 22, 2020, Reed invited Robinson, his nephew, to join him and his friends as they played cards at Reed’s house. Robinson, who was 18 at the time, arrived at the house with two juveniles , who intended to steal marijuana from the victims.

Robinson and his two accomplices were all wearing latex gloves when the murders were committed, showing premeditation; the gloves, with their DNA still inside, were later found discarded near Reed’s house.

Robinson’s two defendants have already had their cases resolved. One of the juveniles — 16-year-old Terrion Tinsley — was tried as an adult and received an identical life sentence . The other juvenile took a plea deal in exchange for testifying against his co-defendants.

At Robinson’s sentencing, State’s Attorney Jaqueline Lacy, who prosecuted the case along with two of her assistants, read victim impact statements from Gentry’s daughter Marquita and Jones’ brother William.

“Prior to his death, we were making plans for my son and father to meet for the very first time. Now that will never happen,” Marquita wrote. “Words cannot explain the pain that is in my soul. You cannot undo what you did [addressing Robinson], but you can become a brand-new person through the grace of God.”

“I have faith that restitution will present itself through remorse in the damages brought upon my family, not only in ripping a beloved family member from us, but also in the destruction of our family home,” William wrote. “The impact is that of what my brother Anthony left with all of those that loved him, through his kindness…he served his country. He served his community in volunteering, and he served his Lord through his faith.”

In handing down his sentence, Girton noted the overwhelming evidence of Robinson’s guilt, premeditation and planning, and spoke of where this crime ranks among all the others he’s seen in his career.

“You will have to work very hard to choose to change to be the person your family forgave,” he said directly to Robinson.

In a statement to the media, Lacy expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped investigate the murders, including the Danville Police Department, Illinois State Police and forensic pathologist Dr. Scott Denton. She also thanked the jury for their service.

“The brutal nature of these murders was inconceivable, especially considering the fact that Cloanger Robinson was related to two of the elderly victims. These innocent victims were lifelong residents of Danville, who loved their community. Their families did not deserve to have their loved ones stolen from them,” she said. “Judge Girton’s sentence and words to the defendant today were a clear message that unconscionable acts of violence will not be accepted in our community. I hope the closure of this case helps the victims’ families to begin their true healing.

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