A Peoria man originally found guilty of murder has been sentenced instead to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
After an October bench trial, Peoria County Court Circuit Judge Stephen Kouri ruled David Stone, 41, was guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Arlin Bermudez-Castellon, 34, in the East Bluff neighborhood in early 2024.
Kouri changed his decision during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, handing down the 10-year term for manslaughter over the prosecutors’ objection, according to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office. Under the original verdict, Stone faced up to 75 years in prison.
Castellon suffered seven gunshot wounds, with most of those in his back. While Stone did not fire the shots, he was charged based on the fact he and co-defendant Mickael Williams participated in the crime together.
Stone was attempting to collect a debt from Castellon and brought Williams with him. Both men were armed.
Evidence at trial included recordings of jail phone calls where Stone admitted to being at the scene.
Prosecutors also presented threatening text messages from Stone to Castellon and surveillance footage showed Stone picking up Williams before the shooting, and fleeing the scene afterward.
Williams also has been charged with first-degree murder. He remains in custody at the Peoria County Jail; his case is pending.
