Charges Are in Place on Lavaly Murder Case in Cumberland County

A number of individuals now face charges in conjunction with the shooting death of Eric Lavaly in Greenup earlier this year.

Cumberland County State's Attorney Jonathan Braden said 23-year-old Lamont Mimms of Mattoon has been charged with counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and armed robbery in Lavaly's death in July. Those charges have been filed in addition to the original count of possession of a weapon by a felon on which Mimms had been held in Champaign County shortly after the incident. Braden said Mimms has since been moved to Coles County Safety and Detention Center where he is being held on an aggravated battery count. It's alleged Mimms intended to do great bodily harm to an individual there.

Also charged related to the incident are 27-year-old Trenton Adamson of Greenup, 24-year-old Laurinda McWhorter of Charleston, and 21-year-old Kyle Covault of Indianapolis.

Adamson and McWhorter are each charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, while Covault faces counts of possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and unlawful use of a weapon.

Covault was also wounded in the exchange of gunfire that resulted in Lavaly's death.

Braden said Illinois State Police Agent Scott Rhoades testified at a pre-trial hearing that Adamson, Mimms and Lavaly were at Adamson's house in Greenup and there allegedly was a plan in place to rob Covault when he arrived. When Covault reached the house, a scuffle resulted and then shots were fired with Lavaly killed and Covault wounded. Covault is still being treated for his wounds.

Adamson is next due in court on November 28 for a pre-trial conference, McWhorter is due in court November 7, and Covault is scheduled to make his first appearance on November 14.

As for Mimms, his case will be in court November 7 to consider a prosecution motion for evidence testing. The matter is being contested since the test could consume most or all of the evidence so any defense objections would be considered.

Braden said Mimms' trial is slated to begin December 14.

It's worth noting that Braden will not be prosecuting any of the cases, since he is leaving the State's Attorney Office as of the end of November. He is a candidate for resident circuit judge in Cumberland County in Tuesday's election.