WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. — A local man was given a long-term prison sentence for his role in a 2019 murder .

Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley announced that 34-year-old Mario Williams of Rockford was sentenced to 85 years in state prison for first degree murder. The sentencing follows Williams being found guilty by a jury on Nov. 21, 2024.

On May 11, 2019, Robert Brooks was shot and killed at Auburn Manor, located at 4120 Auburn St. in Rockford. Brooks was sitting in the apartment's stairwell when he was shot.

Brooks' friend was there during the shooting and gave a description of the suspect. Mario Williams was then identified and interviewed about the murder.

Williams said he was not at Auburn Manor on May 9, 2019, or on the morning of May 11, 2019. However, his cell phone

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