TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— On Thursday, a Jury convicted Jesse James Hess for his involvement in the killing of Dwayne French in 2020.
According to a Facebook post from the Terre Haute Police Department, Hess was convicted of murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, aggravated battery, and battery with a deadly weapon.
Hess is the fourth individual to be convicted of the killing of French on August 21, 2020. Richard Durbin, Dwight Brown, and Candace Jones were previously convicted as well. The police department thanked those involved in the long-term investigation and announced their pride in bringing all of those involved in the murder finally to justice.
Co-defendant Candace Jones pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and received a sentence of 25 years in prison. Co-defendant Dwight Brown also pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Co-defendant Richard Durbin also pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 16 years—ten years to be served in the Department of Corrections with six years of formal probation to follow. Durbin did receive credit for 958 days served.
WTWO reached out to Vigo Superior Court Six, and a sentencing date has not yet been set for Hess.
