Joliet Man Gets 73 Years In 2019 Shooting Death, Attempted Murder: State's Attorney

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet man has been sentenced to 73 years in prison for consolidated charges that include 45 years for first-degree murder and 28 years for attempted first-degree murder, the Will County State's Attorney's Office said Friday.

Matthew Rutledge, 44, was found guilty of the 2019 homicides in a 2023 bench trial.

On December 20, 2019, Quentin Woods and his sister Tiffany Williams, with whom Rutledge had been in a relationship, went to Rutledge’s residence looking for money that was missing from a withdrawal she had made earlier that day.

Rutledge and his wife were home at the time, and an argument ensued. Rutledge pulled out a gun and both victims ran. Rutledge shot Woods nine times, and Tiffany once.

Woods suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head, neck, left shoulder, back, abdomen, and other areas, and was found dead on the sidewalk from his injuries.

“What began as a dispute over money ended in a hail of gunfire," said Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow. "Rutledge chose to answer an argument with bullets, fatally shooting Quentin Woods and wounding his sister as they ran for their lives.

"A disagreement that escalated into senseless violence has forever ravaged two families. The value of money pales in comparison to the sanctity of human life. Matthew Rutledge ruthlessly without any legal justification ended the life of Quentin Woods for all eternity. With Judge Goodman’s sentence of 73 years Rutledge will permanently forfeit his freedoms and spend the rest of his life in a cold foreboding prison cell."

The 73-year sentence includes 45 years at 100 percent and 28 years at 85 percent in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Rutledge will receive credit for 2,381 days for time served.

In the release Friday, State’s Attorney Glasgow thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Mark Fleszewski, Erin Krone, Jonathon Sakellaropoulos, Victim Witness Advocate Jessica Gil, and the Joliet Police Department for their outstanding work in this matter.