FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
DARON WOODS CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, WEAPONS CHARGE, AND FIREARM ENHANCEMENT
Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Daron Woods, 50, of Murphysboro, was found guilty of first-degree murder, firearm enhancement, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon on Friday, January 9, 2026, following a jury trial.
In a weeklong jury trial, the State presented evidence that on August 21, 2024, the Murphysboro Police Department received a 911 call for a report of shots fired and an unresponsive person on the sidewalk located at 233 North 13th Street, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois, which is otherwise known as the 13th Street Highrise Apartments. Upon arrival, officers located 29-year-old Maurice Funches laying unresponsive on the sidewalk with several gunshot wounds. Funches was unable to be resuscitated and was declared deceased. Officers were able to locate witnesses and video surveillance footage surrounding the incident.
The State presented evidence that earlier that day, an individual identified as Daron Woods had been involved in a separate incident where he chased and stabbed another individual outside the 13th Street Highrise Apartments. At that time, the video shows that Funches was outside, broke up the fight, and ultimately acted as a hero by taking the knife away from Woods. The witness who had been stabbed stated during his testimony at trial that Woods was upset by Funches’ actions and indicated he would be back with a firearm. Additionally, he praised Funchess as his hero.
Witnesses stated on the stand that Woods returned more than an hour later and got out of the vehicle with two firearms. Almost forty-five minutes later, Woods approached Funches while he was standing next to the picnic table. Evidence showed Funches was unarmed, and after a short conversation with Woods, Woods shot Funches five times as Funches attempted to run away. The evidence showed that the two most fatal shots were in Funches’s back.
Jackson County Assistant State’s Attorney, Sophia Allen, led the prosecution of Woods, and after securing a guilty verdict on January 9, 2026, Allen explained that Woods faces a sentence between 45-years and natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the murder of Maurice Funches. Allen emphasized that the crime committed was senseless, and that violence in our community will not be tolerated. State’s Attorney Marsha Cascio-Hale added, “We sincerely grieve with the family and friends of Maurice Funches. In the end, the State’s Attorney’s Office always seeks justice. And this case sends a clear message that our office will prosecute these heinous crimes and that we have every intention of keeping our community safe.”
The investigation was led by the Murphysboro Police Department and assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Allen commended the extensive investigation by law enforcement and the dedication of the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance throughout the prosecution of this case. Allen further stated that “Gun violence is a crime that impacts not only the lives of those involved in the case, but our community as well. In order to keep our community safe and to prevent violence in our community, crimes involving gun violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A prosecutor has the responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate. This responsibility carries with it specific obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural justice, and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence. Except for statements that are necessary to inform the public of the nature and extent of the prosecutor’s action and that serve a legitimate law enforcement purpose, by Supreme Court Rule, the State’s Attorney is not allowed to make statements about pending cases or investigations which would pose a serious and imminent threat to the fairness of the proceeding. Rule 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor. For a list of certain subjects which have been determined to pose such a threat to the fairness of the proceedings and for a list of subjects which do not, please see Rule 3.6 Trial Publicity. For any press release involving a case which has not yet been tried, please note that: a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of the jury.