New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

GALESBURG, Ill. - A second autopsy for a man found dead in a Galesburg drainage ditch in 2018 uncovered a new cause of death, but remains sealed from the public on the seventh anniversary of his death. Tyler Smith, 23, was reported missing in Galesburg on the morning of Sep. 15, 2018, after he failed … Continue reading New cause of death sealed from public for man found in Galesburg drainage ditch 7 years ago

Utah man could face death penalty if convicted for Charlie Kirk assassination

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

UTAH COUNTY, Utah - A Utah man charged in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk could face the death penalty if convicted at trial. Tyler Robinson, 22, faces multiple felony charges including Aggravated Murder and Obstruction of Justice. He is accused of shooting and killing Kirk during a scheduled public event on the campus … Continue reading Utah man could face death penalty if convicted for Charlie Kirk assassination

Dispatch audio captures response to Charlie Kirk assassination, search for suspect

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

OREM, Utah - Conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at a speaking event in Utah Wednesday in an apparent political assassination. It happened around 12:23 p.m. on the campus of Utah Valley University located in Orem, Utah where Kirk was hosting hundreds of students for a scheduled event on his … Continue reading Dispatch audio captures response to Charlie Kirk assassination, search for suspect

Retiring chief defends police department’s handling of murder investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - Less than one month before retiring from the Rock Falls Police Department, Chief David Pilgrim wants to set the record straight on an investigation resulting in the dismissal of first-degree murder earlier this year. Pilgrim has been with the Rock Falls Police Department since 2001. He was appointed Chief in early … Continue reading Retiring chief defends police department’s handling of murder investigation

Rock Falls Police Chief to announce retirement amid fallout from flawed investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - Rock Falls Police Chief David Pilgrim is soon expected to announce his retirement amid the fallout from a flawed investigation earlier this year. Click here to see an update to this story. More than one alderman told me Pilgrim notified city council of his decision last week. Pilgrim has been with … Continue reading Rock Falls Police Chief to announce retirement amid fallout from flawed investigation

First-degree murder charge dropped for Rock Falls man after flawed investigation

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

ROCK FALLS, Ill. - A first-degree murder charge in connection to a fatal stabbing in Rock Falls was dismissed after details of a flawed investigation conducted by police were revealed during pretrial. Click here to see an update to this story. https://kylejbales.com/2025/09/03/retiring-chief-defends-investigation-resulting-in-dismissed-first-degree-murder-charge/ Kyle Cooper, 36, of Rock Falls, was set to stand trial on one … Continue reading First-degree murder charge dropped for Rock Falls man after flawed investigation

Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

MT. CARROLL, Ill. - The criminal case against a former deputy charged in the death of Jackson Kradle is continued for 90 days. Matthew Herpstreith, 44, appeared in court Friday for a pretrial status hearing alongside defense attorney Joe Nack. Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn represented the State. Herpstreith faces multiple felony charges including Reckless Homicide … Continue reading Criminal case against former deputy charged in death of Jackson Kradle continued for 90 days

‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A small town attorney and a rural Illinois county coroner secured a homicide verdict through an inquest into the death of Jackson Kradle more than two months before any criminal charges were filed. Watch Part 2 of 'Not On My Watch' https://youtu.be/I-cRKsCQBv0?si=0Xo0f73CPC18T49v In the early morning hours of July 28, 2024, … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’ Pt. II: Preparing, executing inquest into death of Jackson Kradle

State’s Attorney: Officers’ use of force in Savanna pursuit last month was justified

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

SAVANNA, Ill. - Carroll County State's Attorney Aaron Kaney announced Thursday that the officers' use of force in a pursuit ending in Savanna last month was justified. Kaney says four law enforcement officers fired their gun near the intersection of Webster Street and Main Street in Savanna on the morning of June 26, which resulted … Continue reading State’s Attorney: Officers’ use of force in Savanna pursuit last month was justified

‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open

Posted on by Kyle J. Bales

CARROLL COUNTY, Ill. - A family and community were rocked one year ago after an 18-year-old Mt. Carroll man was found dead in the road. Parade in Shannon, Ill. (Janessa Anderson) The man who died was 2024 West Carroll High School graduate Jackson Kradle, who had recently turned 18 when he was struck and killed … Continue reading ‘Not on my watch’: Meet the Coroner who broke Jackson Kradle homicide case wide open