Sydney Mays Trial: Witnesses struggle to remember during fourth day of testimony

Posted on January 29, 2021
Sydney Mays Jr. of Bloomington, talks with a member of his legal team in the courtroom at the Law and Justice Cener Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, as he faces charges that he murdered Nate Pena, Corey Jackson and Juan Carlos Perez and injured Pena’s minor son, June 18, 2018. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – On day four of a triple murder trial in McLean County, witnesses told prosecutors they could not remember specific details they told police nearly three years ago.

Sydney Mays is charged with several counts of first degree murder and attempted murder. The state alleges he shot and killed three people and seriously injured a child in June of 2018.

Defense attorney Mike Clancy used vague answers given by witnesses to poke holes in any testimony that tied his client to the 2018 killings of Juan Carlos Perez-Maceda, Nathaniel Pena, and Corey Jackson.

“I don’t recall it’s so long ago,” said Ky Williams while recounting when he picked up Mays and two others on the day of the shooting.

Clancy worked to show the judge that their testimony could not be used against his client. He argued the witnesses did not intend to lie, they just could not remember.

“Were you lying in your interview with the police or here today to help Sydney out in anyway?” asked Clancy.

“No,” replied Williams.

The doctor who performed the autopsy for each of the three victims also testified on Thursday. Dr. Scott Denton concluded that they all died from their gunshot wounds.

Both sides are expected to give closing arguments sometime on Friday.

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

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