A Danville man, Kevin Marshall, 35, received a life sentence without parole on September 8, 2025, for his involvement in the carjacking and murder of Daniel Walter in April 2020. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce in Peoria. Marshall was convicted on four counts: two related to the carjacking and murder, and two concerning drug trafficking and possessing a firearm during drug trafficking. He also received an additional ten-year sentence for possessing a firearm as a felon.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that after being released from custody in January 2020, Marshall used a Taurus handgun to kill Walter at a rural residence in Danville. Prosecutors detailed how Marshall lured Walter out of his truck around 4 a.m., shot him multiple times at close range between the house and garage, then left with Walter’s vehicle. He later returned to shoot Walter again and take his phone and wallet. Forensic testing linked the handgun seized during Marshall's August 2020 arrest to both Walter’s murder and other shootings in Danville earlier that year.
Marshall spent the summer following the murder selling methamphetamine until his arrest on August 18, 2020. A federal grand jury indicted him in August 2021 for firearm possession as a felon; additional charges including carjacking, murder, drug trafficking, and carrying a firearm during drug trafficking were added by superseding indictment in April 2023. His trial ran from July 31 through August 7, 2024.
During proceedings, evidence showed that Marshall attempted to tamper with witnesses by instructing others to delete Facebook records and coercing false statements exonerating himself. Despite these efforts to obstruct justice, the jury found him guilty on all counts.
Marshall has been held by the U.S. Marshal’s Service since his federal arrest on August 3, 2021. Prior convictions include second-degree murder for killing Latifah Cross in Danville in May 2013.
In imposing four life sentences—one per conviction—Judge Bruce cited both murders as well as further violent acts and witness tampering attributed to Marshall. The judge emphasized public safety concerns given Marshall’s history.
“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 stated: “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,” he said.“We also must recognize the courage of the witnesses who stepped forward.It takes all of us to keep our community safer from predators and those who want to do others harm.Thou gh the convictionand sentencingof Kevin Marsh aldoes not erase t he damage,pain,and sufferinghe caused ,hopefullythis can contribute further tothe healing processfor familyand friendsof DanielWalter ,aswellasourcommunity.”
Special Agent in Charge Christopher J.S.Johnson ofthe FBI Springfield Field Office commented:“This sentence holds KevinMarshallaccountableforhis unforgivablecrimesandthetrailofviolenceandlossheleftbehind.Our officeandourpartnersworked tirelesslytoachievethis outcome.We hopeit bringsa measureofjustice.”
The investigation involved several agencies: Danville Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation (Springfield Field Office); Illinois State Police; U.S.Marshals Service; Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office; Bureauof Alcohol,Tobacco ,FirearmsandExplosives . AssistantU.S.Attorneys Bryan Freresand EugeneMiller prosecutedthecasewithcooperationfromVermilionCountyState’sAttorney JacquelineLacy .
