Guilty Verdict For Indiana Mom Charged In Fatal Palos Home Invasion

BRIDGEVIEW, IL — An Indiana woman tried in connection with the shooting death of an alleged co-conspirator during a home invasion in a sex tryst gone awry nearly a year ago in unincorporated Palos Park was found guilty of three counts of first degree murder. Sarah Risner, 21, was the first of four people charged after their friend, Anthony Dalton, was shot to death by the homeowner after prosecutors said he led the others into the house to rob and beat up the homeowner.

Risner, a mother of two young boys, wept in her hands as Connolly read the verdict following a two-day bench trial last week in Bridgeview. Family and friends who gathered in support of Risner also wept and left the courtroom moments after the verdict was read.

Connolly disagreed with the defense team's argument that Risner should not be responsible on the grounds that she and another woman, 19-year-old Brandy Marshall, were invited in the residence on 118th Street, where the homeowner arranged to pay them for sex on July 5, 2016.

"They had no intention of doing that," Connolly said, referring to the plan to exchange sex for money. "Therefore their entry into the home was unlawful."

Connolly stated that based on evidence of a videotaped confession from Risner, the plan of the five from Indiana that night -- Risner, Marshall, Marshall's sister Paige Marshall, Dalton and Tyler Gulli -- had two components. The first part was Risner and Marshall entering the home on the premise that they would be paid a combined $350 for sex but that there was no intention on following through with the sex, just to get the money and leave. The second component, the judge said, was for the other three co-conspirators to enter the home and beat up and rob the homeowner.

Previous Coverage on Patch:

• Bench Trial Underway For Indiana Mom Charged In Fatal Palos Home Invasion

• Judge To Decide Fate Of Indiana Mom Charged With Murder In Fatal Home Invasion

Previous trial testimony indicates the entire group drove to Palos Park from Crown Point, Indiana in a truck owned by Risner's father. After Risner and Brandy Marshall were allowed into the home, Risner told the man she "left the condoms in the car," which was the alleged buzzword for the other three alleged co-conspirators to be ready to enter the home after Risner unlocked it.

But Risner struggled to unlock the door for them and the homeowner came by to help her. At that point, testimony indicates the man saw Dalton outside with a bandana over his face and went into the kitchen to retrieve his gun. When the homeowner returned to the area near the front door, testimony indicates he was met with a knife-wielding Dalton and the other two co-defendants who were all wearing hoodies and bandanas.

The homeowner fired two shots, one that killed the 19-year-old Dalton and the other that injured Gulli, who was 23 at the time of the incident. When Cook County Sheriff's police responded to the scene, they found Dalton face down in a pool of blood near the front door. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Risner fled the scene in the truck with Gulli and Brandy Marshall. Paige Marshall was left behind and allegedly implicated the others after police arrived.

In delivering the verdict, Connolly cited previous cases that set the precedent for Risner being found guilty on all three legal premises that led to the three first degree murder counts.

Lesser charges of home invasion and residential burglary were previously dropped against Risner. She now faces 20 to 60 years for first-degree murder.

The Marshall sisters and Gulli are in Cook County Jail awaiting trial. The other three co-defendants are each being held on $2 million bail.

Connolly revoked the bail for Risner after the verdict was read.

Risner wiped away a tear from her face just before being handcuffed and led away from the courtroom.