Macomb man found guilty, but mentally ill, of murdering cellmate

MACOMB (WGEM) - The Macomb man who was on trial for murdering his cellmate in the McDonough County Jail has been found guilty, but mentally ill.

This was the second time the case was tried. In June, the judge declared a mistrial after the jury in that case could not reach a unanimous verdict.

McDonough County State’s Attorney Matthew Kwacala reported Macomb native Darrell Hocker was violently murdered in his jail cell on Nov. 8, 2023. Hocker and Smith were cellmates at the time of the killing.

Kwacala said Smith declined to attend and participate in the trial, but Smith’s attorney argued he was not guilty by reason of insanity.

The state argued Smith may have mental health issues, but he was able to know he was committing a crime at the time of the murder.

Smith will be sentenced at 9