It’s life plus 26 years for 39-year old Donald Fredres. Judge H. Chris Ryan sentenced him Friday. Fredres was convicted of shooting and killing 62-year olds Gregory and Brenda Barnes last year at their rural Sheridan home after they wouldn’t tell him were his ex-wife was living. He found out anyway and tried to kill her.
Public Defender Ryan Hamer says that his client didn’t receive a fair trial and one reason included jurors hearing the 911 phone call Fredres’s ex-wife made to police for a second time during deliberations.
State’s Attorney Todd Martin says it didn’t make a difference.
Judge Ryan agreed with prosecutors. He says there was no indication to him that the jurors saw the person leave or have the emotional reaction. He also denied Hamer’s request to have a retrial in the case.
Fredres says he will appeal the verdict. He decided not to make a statement during his hearing.
Donald Fredres (right) speaks to Ottawa defense attorney Ryan Hamer during his Friday, July 1, 2022, sentencing hearing for the double murder of his former-in laws. Fredres was sentenced to life, plus 26 years. (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media) LaSalle County courts coverage media pool photo