Convicted killer who escaped Kankakee jail gets 107 years for murder

A convicted killer who escaped a Kankakee County detention center last month before being recaptured in Chicago following a manhunt was sentenced to more than 100 years in prison Monday for murder.

Kamron Taylor, 23, was sentenced to 107 years by Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott Monday for the murder of 21-year-old Nelson Williams Jr., Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jamie Boyd said. By law, he must serve the entire sentence, but will receive credit for time served.

Williams was shot in the head on the front porch of his Kankakee home in June 2013 during an attempted robbery, the Sun-Times previously reported.

Taylor was convicted of the murder in February. Then, on April 1, he overpowered a correctional officer at the Jerome Combs Detention Center, according to the Kankakee County sheriff’s office. He took the officer’s keys, uniform and vehicle, and left in the officer’s SUV, which was later found by police.

He was captured three days later in the 9200 block of South Harper by Chicago Police responding to a call of a suspicious person. They found Taylor, who led them on a brief foot chase before being taken into custody.

Taylor was using the alias of Tryeon Smith, 23, of Joliet when he was arrested and was carrying a loaded .38-caliber revolver. He was identified as the escapee by Chicago Police, who contacted Kankakee authorities and compared his tattoos. His identity was later positively confirmed by a fingerprint match.

Taylor’s aunt, Tonya D. Grant, 50, a former correctional officer, helped him escape, according to the sheriff’s office. She was charged with obstructing justice and aiding in escape.

At his sentencing Monday, a video of Taylor’s escape from the detention center was played for the judge, Boyd said. Williams’ parents both read statements and several officers, including a Chicago Police officer who arrested Taylor after his escape, also testified.

Prosecutors also presented evidence that Taylor has been involved in other criminal activities, including another murder and the robbery of a credit union, though he has not been charged in connection with those crimes.

The correctional officer Taylor attacked during his escape did not testify and has not yet returned to work, authorities said.

Taylor has not yet been charged with the escape, but Boyd said prosecutors are planning to file charges.