Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a Danville man was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Danville man. A Vermilion County jury found Dyontae Bright, 21, of Danville, guilty of the first-degree murder of Albert Gardner, 23, of Danville. Vermilion County Circuit Court Judge Nancy Fahey set Bright’s post-trial motions for April 22, 2021. “After shooting the victim, the defendant fled to a neighboring state in an attempt to avoid accountability,” Raoul said. “As with this case, collaborations between federal, state, county and local law enforcement are critical to ensuring that individuals who perpetrate violent crimes are convicted – particularly when they go to extreme lengths to avoid capture. I look forward to continue these partnerships to protect communities from gun violence.”

On June 16, 2018, at around 2 a.m., at the Untouchables Motorcycle Club in Danville, Bright shot and killed Albert Gardner. The Attorney General’s office prosecuted the case in cooperation with Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy’s office. “Today’s jury verdict of guilty against Dyontae Bright clearly demonstrates that the good people of our community simply will not tolerate violent gang shootings,” said Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline M. Lacy. “I also would like to take this opportunity to thank Attorney General Kwame Raoul and his entire staff for their assistance to the State’s Attorney’s office in the prosecution of this murderer. Our continued partnership in the ongoing battle against violent crime truly is an asset to Vermilion County.”

Assistant Attorneys General Mike Falagario and Haley Bookhout handled the case for Raoul’s Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau.