The trial began Monday, October 28, lasting three days. The jury heard from State witnesses, including law enforcement officers and forensic experts. The evidence revealed that Wesson appeared to be involved in an argument with another man moments prior to shots being fired. 

Law enforcement officers testified to responding to a report of shots fired in an apartment complex parking lot. They collected numerous pieces of evidence from the site, including 13 spent shell casings and a surveillance video that captured the entire incident.  

Officers also testified to responding to two different reports of gunshot victims: one at Vista East Hospital who was later identified as Wesson, and another at Cornelia Avenue, who was later identified as Gerald Gordon.  

Through surveillance footage, officers observed a silver car entering the parking lot. Moments later, a man identified as Wesson—based on the clothing he was wearing at the hospital—approached the silver car. The video shows Wesson and an individual inside the silver car interacting before Wesson jumps back, raises his arms, and fires. Based on the forensic testimony presented at trial, Wesson fired 12 of the 13 spent casings recovered in the parking lot. Afterward, Wesson ran to a nearby SUV, that then fled the scene. 

Wesson was out on bond at the time of this offense after being charged with multiple firearm offenses, including Armed Habitual Criminal, in March 2022 (Wesson was convicted of these charges in September 2023) and posting $15,000 cash. This was prior to the effective date of bail reform which now prevents individuals charged with firearm offenses from posting bond if a judge so decides at the beginning of the case 

Wesson was taken into custody by Waukegan Police in February 2023. Because this arrest was also prior to bail reform, the State’s Attorney’s Office filed a motion to deny bail under the prior version of the law, but the motion was denied by a judge. Instead, Wesson’s bond was set at 1.25 million dollars. A judge revoked Wesson’s ability to post bail after he was convicted of his March 2022 weapons offenses in September 2023. 

After the verdict, Lake County State’s Attorney stated, “Our Violent Crime Unit has now secured two successful trial verdicts against this offender. Once again, we see that the cash system was not keeping our communities safe. Now, individuals charged with this offense are facing detention petitions from our office; and if the judge grants the petition, the offender is held – without being able to use cash. It is unfortunate that this dangerous offender was able to use $15,000 in cash prior to the effective date of bail reform.” 

Armed Habitual Criminal carries a sentencing range of 6 to 30 years in the Department of Corrections. The sentence for the charges stemming from this incident can be served either concurrently, resulting in a total sentencing range of 6 to 30 years, or consecutively, to his conviction in the March 2022 incident, which could lead to a combined sentencing range of 12 to 60 years. 

The State's Attorney’s Office intends on arguing that Wesson should serve his sentences consecutively. Wesson’s next court date is scheduled for November 18, 2024, for a status hearing on post-trial motions.