A Peoria man pleaded guilty Wednesday to the second of two murders on New Year’s Day 2022.
Robert White, 30, entered guilty pleas to charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm in the shooting that resulted in the death Bridgett Ross, 35, and the non-fatal wounding of an unnamed male victim.
Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos said in a news release the plea agreement was a consideration for the victim’s family, who wished to avoid a prolonged trial. The family also asked that White spend the rest of his life in prison. Hoos said the plea is structured to ensure that occurs.
White had previously been convicted of the murder of Daniella Jackson that occurred the same night as the murder of Ross. He received a 69-year prison sentence for that murder in July 2023.
According to the State’s Attorney Office, after midnight on New Year’s Day 2022, White was celebrating the holiday at the home of Jackson and Levi Conway. White shot Conway three times and Jackson four times. Conway survived his injuries.
White fled from the home and while officers were responding to the shooting, they received another shooting report in the 500 block of West Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. At the second scene, officers found Ross and the unnamed male victim with gunshot wounds. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures on Ross, but she was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The man’s injury was not life threatening.
During the investigation, Hoos said officers discovered White had fled to Ross’s apartment and fired a shot from the hallway through her door. The bullet struck the man in the neck before hitting and killing Ross.
The plea deal means the sentences will be served consecutively for a total sentence of 99 years. White received a 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder charge and a 10-year sentence on the aggravated battery with a firearm charge.
