TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The fourth person involved in the robbery and murder of Dwayne French has now been sentenced.
Jesse Hess was sentenced to 55 years in total, 50 to be served in prison, with five years of probation to follow. Dwayne French was attacked and robbed on August 21, 2020, and died from his injuries less than two weeks later.
“A senseless act fueled by drugs cost Dwayne French his life. That is the tragedy here.” Said Prosecutor Terry Modesitt. “We grieve for his family and friends and thank them for their support, patience, and trust in our office throughout this process.”
The Terre Haute Police Department caught and charged Hess, along with three others, for the crime in August 2022. 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.
At the sentencing, Chief Deputy Roberts asked that the defendant receive a sixty-year sentence due to his role in the murder. “Hess was the person that selected the target, planned the details, provided the weapons used, and received the majority of the proceeds of the robbery.”
