JACKSON COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney
Jackson County Courthouse • 1001 Walnut • Third Floor • Murphysboro, IL 62966
(618) 687-7200 • FAX (618) 687-7215
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney
Thursday, January 21, 2021
JODY L. PULLEN, CARBONDALE, IS SENTENCED TO 84 YEARS
FOR CARBONDALE SHOOTING INCIDENT
Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that on January 20, 2021, Jody L. Pullen, age 29, of Carbondale, Illinois, was sentenced to a total of eighty-four (84) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Attempt First-Degree Murder, multiple counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.
State’s Attorney Cervantez explained that “every citizen should be able to live, work, and enjoy life in this community without the fear or threat from gun violence.” He went on to add that “the sentence for Pullen is not necessarily a win for anyone unless we use it as a reason to implement programs to deter similar behavior. Although our streets are safer with Pullen sentenced, we still have work to do.”
The charges against Pullen arose from an April 12, 2019, shooting incident which occurred in the area between Tres Hombres and ABC Liquor Mart in downtown Carbondale.
On October 9, 2019, a Jackson County Jury returned guilty verdicts on Pullen for the offenses of Attempt First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (four counts), and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (two counts) following an eight (8) day jury trial in Jackson County. The jury heard evidence that Pullen was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his fiancé with his one-year-old child in the back seat. As they were sitting in a drive-through at ABC Liquor Mart, an argument ensued between Pullen and other individuals who were parked across the alley situated between the liquor store and the Tres Hombres beer garden.
The State produced a surveillance video which depicted Pullen pointing a firearm out of the window of his vehicle and firing multiple shots in the direction of the individuals. Pullen’s shots struck two patrons of the Tres Hombres beer garden in addition to two other individuals in the alley between Tres Hombres and ABC Liquor Mart. Pullen continued to fire the weapon as his vehicle backed out and fled from the scene.
Crime scene and forensic evidence linked bullets from Pullen’s firearm to gunshot wounds to two of Pullen’s intended victims as well as the two patrons of the restaurant. Vehicles struck by Pullen’s weapon which had passengers inside them were also linked to Pullen’s weapon.
State’s Attorney Cervantez explains that this is not just a neighborhood problem, this affects the entire community because absolutely no one is exempt from gun violence. He plans to work with law enforcement and community organizations in the upcoming weeks to discuss viable options for substantive programs that can be implemented in Jackson County. “Together, we will curb gun violence in Jackson County,” Cervantez said.
Because the Court found that all four victims shot by Pullen sustained severe bodily injury, the Court was required to sentence Pullen to consecutive terms of imprisonment on one count of Attempt First-Degree Murder (for which Pullen was sentenced to twenty-three (23) years, plus a mandatory twenty-five (25) year firearm enhancement), and three counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (for which Pullen was sentenced to twelve (12) years on each of the three counts). The Court also sentenced Pullen to twelve (12) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a charge of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, which Pullen will serve concurrent with the other sentences imposed by the Court. Pullen must serve at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the eighty-four (84) year aggregate sentence under the Illinois Truth in Sentencing law.
The Carbondale Police Department conducted a detailed investigation of the October 19th shooting which allowed for the successful prosecution of Pullen by veteran prosecutor Assistant State’s Attorney Jayson Clark.
Carbondale Police Department Interim Chief Stan Reno stated, “We must remember the victims in this senseless act of violence who suffered both physically and mentally. I want to acknowledge the officers and detectives that responded to this dangerous in-progress event and their tireless work to bring the offenders to justice. I am thankful for the support the community provided in this investigation, and I look forward to developing more partnerships to prevent any future violence in our community. I am committed to providing the resources and support to make Carbondale a safe place to live and visit.”
Interim Chief Reno and State’s Attorney Cervantez will speak more to the issue of gun violence as guests of a Zoom event called Visualizing a Better Community on Thursday, January 28th, at 5:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by the Carbondale Public Library and is sponsored by Carbondale United and the Southern Illinois Unity Coalition. Call (618) 306-5885 for more information.