NORMAL, Ill. — A Peoria man accused of kidnapping two men from Normal, Illinois, including one who died of a head injury suffered during the incident, demanded the victim's family pay a ransom from lottery winnings, Normal police said Friday.
Danny Smith Jr. 28, is charged with kidnapping Maunds Bryant, 41, and his stepfather from their home in the 100 block of West Raab Road on Dec. 22.
Smith remains in the Peoria County jail in lieu of $300,000 bond. Additional charges are under review by both Peoria and McLean County authorities.
McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers said Friday that the incident that started in McLean County and ended in Peoria County involves unique circumstances in two jurisdictions.
"At this point, the person who we believe is responsible is in custody and there is no current public safety issue," he said.
"As this matter moves forward, it will become apparent that some of the facts involved are very unusual and involve multiple jurisdictions. We have made a decision on the charges we want to proceed with, but in this circumstance we are being particularly methodical in the process," said Chambers.
Bryant died on Christmas Day at a Peoria hospital of a head injury authorities said he suffered after he fell during the abduction in Normal.
On Friday, Assistant Police Chief Eric Klingele said Smith threatened to harm the two men if Bryant's 57-year-old mother did not get cash and call him with a phone he left with her to arrange for the payment to be picked up.
"Somehow this suspect knew about the (lottery) money and that's why he targeted them," said Klingele.
Police have not yet determined Smith may have known about the lottery winnings, said Klingele, adding he did not know how much the family had won in the lottery in July.
"The woman was told someone was watching and that's why she didn't call police," said Klingele.
Bryant's mother did not have an opportunity to get the ransom money before Normal police were notified of the kidnapping by Peoria police, who learned of the abduction after the stepfather managed to get away from the Peoria residence where he and his stepson were being held. He went to a nearby house and called for help.
Peoria police found Bryant unresponsive in the basement of the house in the 800 block of West Kettelle Street in Peoria.
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Which reminds me, l watched an old Western the other night with Clint Eastwood in it entitled " Hang em High."
If there was ever a reason for allowing anonymous this is it.
Illinois has no death penalty so that won't happen in this case.
Here in California, your name is required to be released. You have the right to say NO to the Press availability and NO to the grip and grin photo shoot.
The name and location of the store where you purchased the winning ticket will be made public. The amount you won and how you took the prize, Lump Sum or Thirty-year payment plan. The photo of the ticket will be released.
Stay out of the news and do not break any laws and you should be fine.
I was reading on Ohio's lottery website that they only published names of winners of $10M or more with their permission. I guess they figured winners of smaller prizes wouldn't attract crooks.
My referencing the movie was based solely on let justice be done whether it's in Illinois or any other State.
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I am totally horrified at the news.
The crooks liable for the human damage should be hanged.
Should I win, and am told my name will have to be made known,
I'll negotiate the prize amount, or whatever I can do. Maybe this
is the game of the publish-happy states.
COME ON LOTTO STATES, JUST MAKE ALL STATES ANONYMOUS.
YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD TODAY, DON'T YOU?
Mr. Groppo
Which is why l say that one of the best moves a winner can pull in California is " converting is Sikhism" right after you know for certain you the sole winner of a massive jackpot. Every male is called Mr Singh. Once you have cleared the hurdles from all the press and folk have stopped digging to your whereabouts to find out who you are- revert back to your old name.One has ample time to pull this off since you have a full year in which to come forward and claim. Some would say it's too much of a hassle, l say it's an adventure, l mean imagine how much fun you can have...relating these and other stories to the grandchildren?
This Is terribly horrendous AGAIN THIS HAS HAPPENED...
I'm speechless! I don't think the whole story has came to light just yet, This Poor Women Has Lost Her Child over $300k by one SCUM Bag?
The Stepfather Is Fine???????? I don't think so!
Yes they should get the Maximum! HANG THE S.O.B'S.....
What I question is under what authority do they have to display your name on all those screens where they sell lottery tickets. I've seen names of people who won years earlier. It doesnt seem like they are just following the required name release rule but instead using the person's name for publicity. I would make a stink or have my atty make a stink about that. Also, when claiming your award I would make no comments or specifically state they have no right to release your comments to the press.
If I ever win and claim via trust or not, I now plan to make a "political" statement and mention using real balls for all drawings vs computer generated to decrease the chance of fraud. If it is a public state win, I also plan to say my family will hold the lottery responsible if anything happens to me from the over the top publicity. I know you agree to the publicity but it would still draw attention to the issue.
That's a shame. Someone was watching too many movies I suppose. Reality is a much different picture. Good luck in jail mf
Good story, r.i.p.