Post by Scumhunter on Nov 2, 2021 5:17:29 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: Rockford Register Star website)
From the Rockford Register Star (rrstar.com):
ROCKFORD — A second person has been found guilty of murder in connection to the 2019 killing of William Pickering.
William Arzate, 24, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder and concealing a homicidal death after a jury trial over the May 25, 2019, killing of Pickering, a 23-year-old local rapper.
Arzate failed to appear for his trial, which was conducted in his absence. A warrant is still outstanding for his arrest.
Arzate was found guilty of beating Pickering in the head with a baseball bat, transporting his body to an undisclosed wooded area, and then setting it on fire.
Pickering, also known as EBE Bandz and Billy Da Kid, was reported missing on June 1, 2019, after Rockford police attempted a welfare check but could not locate him.
His vehicle was later discovered near his home in the 500 block of Fisher Avenue. An investigation eventually led detectives to Pickering's remains.
Arzate was arrested in June 2019 and later posted a $100,000 bond after family members pooled their money for his release.
According to a news release from Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley, Arzate willfully failed to appear for his trial and is wanted on an outstanding no bond bench warrant for failure to appear. He's also wanted on a prior warrant for harassment of a witness.
Arzate was one of four men charged in connection to Pickering's death. The others are Colton Kennicker, 22, Dakota Graff, 21, and Manuel Ramirez, 22.
Kennicker is due back in court on Aug. 25 on first-degree murder charges.
Graff pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on June 17 but has not had his sentencing hearing.
Ramirez pleaded guilty to concealment of a homicidal death on Feb. 24 and received a 180-day sentence.
www.rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2021/07/02/william-arzate-convicted-and-now-wanted-death-rockford-rapper/7845384002/
Additional articles on case:
www.mystateline.com/news/wanted-man-convicted-of-killing-rockford-rapper-skips-trial/
www.rrstar.com/story/news/2021/10/18/rockford-man-william-arzate-sentenced-absentia-life-prison-rapper-william-pickering-death/8515897002/
Thoughts? Even though I don't see Arzate in Rockford Crime Stoppers' wanted suspect listings, I am assuming he is still at large as of today's posting date (November 2nd, 2021), since there is an update in that he was sentenced in absentia to life in prison just two weeks ago.
Admin Note #1: According to online articles, anyone with information on this fugitive's whereabouts is asked to contact Rockford Police at 815-966-2900 or by leaving an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
Admin Note #2: If you have any (news-related) updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form