Public defender: Client had nothing to do with death of local man

The public defender who represented a Southern Illinois man in a case connected to the murder of a rural Dongola resident contends that the case is still open.

Union County State’s Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds announced last week that Tommy E. Reams, 27, of Dowell, will serve 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for his part in the home invasion and beating of Gerald Dziczkowski of 250 Kimber Rd. in rural Dongola.

Dziczkowski was found dead in his home on the evening of Oct. 22, 2009.

Edmonds said Reams entered his plea of guilty to one count of home invasion during a hearing before Judge Charles Cavaness which was held at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

Charges against Reams followed an extensive investigation conducted by the investigation units of the sheriff’s offices in Union and Jackson counties, Illinois State Police Zone 7 Investigations.

Earlier in February, Edmonds reported that Michael S. Ellis, 26, of Elkville, had pleaded guilty to one count of home invasion in connection with the Dongola incident. Ellis was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Attorney Allen W. James of Anna represented Reams as a public defender.

On Feb. 17, James issued a press release in which he stated that “Mr. Reams was charged with first degree murder and home invasion in connection with the death of Gerald Dziczkowski.

“In return for his plea of guilty to home invasion, a Class X felony, Mr. Reams was sentenced to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with day for day good time credit, he is responsible for court costs, and he must serve a three-year period of mandatory supervised release, formerly known as parole.

“However, Mr. Reams was not convicted for, he did not plead guilty to, nor was he found in any way responsible for the death of Mr. Dziczkowski.”

James stated that an autopsy report indicated that the victime “died of a heroin overdose” and that evidence gathered in connection with the case showed “that Mr. Reams had nothing to do with the death of Mr. Dziczkowski, he has not admitted to any involvement in the death of Mr. Dziczkowski, and any reports to the contrary are erroneous.”

“By all accounts the murder of Mr. Dziczkowski is still an open case,” James stated.

State’s attorney Edmonds said this week that the right people have gone to prison in the case.

“I think we have the right people charged,” Edmonds said.

“I don’t think there’s another killer out there,” the state’s attorney added.