CAMBRIDGE, Illinois — After being delayed several times, the trial for Daylon Richardson, the man accused of hitting and killing Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Weist is set to begin Monday, February 26.
In April 2022, police responded to a Circle K gas station on Main Street in Galesburg after a 911 call of a man with a gun. A chase soon followed on Highway 150 north of town. Deputy Weist was setting up spike strips to stop Richardson's vehicle as it fled from a traffic stop. Daylon Richardson was arrested after crashing his car into a field.
News 8 has never gotten the chance to speak directly with Deputy Weist's family, but they did give us this statement back in 2022 saying in part:
"Our family appreciates all those who have gone out of their way to help us get through the most unnecessary, heartbreaking, painful, deplorable, tragic loss of our lives."
The Knox County Board of Supervisors has since passed a resolution to permanently make April 29 "Deputy Nicholas Weist Day" in the county.
Richardson has pled not guilty to all five charges against him including two counts of murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The trial at the Henry County Courthouse in Cambridge, Illinois on Monday follows jury selection. News 8 will have a camera in the courtroom and update viewers as the trial continues.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel