Knell sentenced to prison for April homicide

Posted on November 2, 2021
Larry Knell, 45, of Bloomington. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A guilty plea will lead to a 50 year prison sentence for a McLean County man, convicted of murder.

45-year-old Larry Knell was sentenced Tuesday, along with the prosecutor’s recommendation of 50 years, serving the entire 100 percent of that term.

Knell initially plead not guilty, but later changed that plea in the April 9th murder of Dale Baughman.

The 59-year-old had won money on a video gaming machine at a Bloomington bar, just hours before he was found lying near Oak and West Seminary, with more than 70 stab wounds.

“So, to issue a sentence that in all likelihood means he will never be out in society, and spare the family the years that it would take to get this case to sentence think it is a result that at least my office can live with,” said Don Knapp, McLean County State’s Attorney.

Knapp credited the Police Department’s work in helping get to this point…..in his mind, two years sooner.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].

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