Information provided by State's Attorney

On Friday, January 12, 2024, a Vermilion County jury convicted 20-year-old Terrion Tinsley in
the brutal and heinous murders of Nathaniel Gentry and Cordell Reed. Tinsley will face a
sentence of 40 years to Natural Life in prison at a future sentencing hearing. Tinsley will remain
in custody without bond pending the sentencing hearing.
State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy, who prosecuted this case along with two of her assistants, said
the evening of January 22, 2020 was a complete nightmare for three men and their families.
"These victims were at home playing cards with each other, having a good time. They were
friends who grew up in Danville, who were simply spending time together."
On January 23, 2020, Danville Police responded to 440 Elm Street after a 911 call by a family
member who found victims, Nathaniel Gentry, Anthony Jones and Cordell Reed, Sr., all
deceased inside Mr. Reed's home. First responders found the three victims stabbed and brutally
beaten.
Two of the suspects, including Tinsley were juveniles at the time of the incident. One defendant
is still awaiting trial. The third defendant plead guilty to robbery and agreed to cooperate as a
state's witness and testify at court to assist the prosecution in securing the conviction for
Tinsley.
Testimony at trial indicated that the three defendants were invited into the home on Elm Street
by the owner of the home, Cordell Reed, Sr. Once invited in, they planned to steal some weed in
the victims’ possession. Tinsley and his co-defendants entered the home wearing latex gloves
under knit gloves.
In the early stages of the investigation, a detective with the Danville Police Department was
alerted by a citizen who located three pairs of latex gloves inside of knit gloves that appeared to
have been discarded in storm drains less than two blocks from the crime scene. The gloves, along
with multiple pieces of seized evidence, were sent to the Illinois State Police (ISP) Crime Lab.

ISP forensic scientist Jennifer Aper testified that DNA from Tinsley was found inside one of the
latex gloves.
Evidence presented by Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Scott Denton, showed that all three victims died
as a result of multiple stab wounds and multiple injuries of blunt force trauma.
Lacy expressed her appreciation to the jury for their service. "The jury's verdict of guilty against
Terrion Tinsley sends a strong message that the people of Vermilion County are tired of the
senseless violence. The jury spoke for the victims today." She added, "Without the cooperation
of these brave witnesses, the Danville Police Department and the Illinois State Police, this
prosecution would not have been possible."
The third defendant is scheduled for trial in May, 2024.