Homeless man gets 60 years in girl's murder

PEORIA -- A Peoria County judge has sentenced a 22-year-old homeless man to 60 years in prison for strangling and stabbing an 18-year-old girl and then leaving her body to be found near a middle school last year.

In imposing the maximum sentence Friday on Ernest Coffey, Circuit Court Judge Michael Brandt said his actions on July 28, 2008 were those of "extreme rage and violence." While acknowledging Coffey had a tough childhood and suffered from mental health issues, Brandt said the public needs to be protected from him.

Coffey has maintained his innocence and repeatedly told Brandt he didn't deserve prison.

The victim, Jessica Wesson, was strangled, repeatedly stabbed, kicked and thrown up against a wall behind Sterling Middle School.