BENTON – A Franklin County Jury Wednesday found an Eldorado man guilty in connection with an April 2021 stabbing in West Frankfort that led to the death of Dennis “Lance” Martin.

According to Franklin County State’s Attorney Abby Dinn, a jury was chosen Monday and evidence was presented against 35-year-old Heath M. Dunning on Tuesday and Wednesday.

After closing statements and about three hours of deliberation, the jury returned its guilty verdicts on First-degree Murder and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Dunning will be sentenced for the crimes at a later date.

Dinn says on April 15, 2021, while driving on Illinois 149 east of West Frankfort near New Lake Road, Dunning, a convicted felon, stabbed Martin through the heart killing Martin within moments.

Later that evening, Dunning was driving Martin’s van with Martin in the front passenger seat when an argument ensued about Dunning’s direction of travel. In retaliation for Martin trying to remove the keys from the ignition of his own van, Dunning placed a knife in his right hand and swung toward Martin’s chest plunging the blade between Martin’s ribs and deep into Martin’s heart. Dunning parked the van in a nearby driveway and called 911.

Captain Kevin Roye of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department responded within minutes, but the damage was immediately fatal and Martin was dead before paramedics arrived to assist.

Dunning had been previously convicted in Saline County for the offenses of Aggravated Battery, Criminal Damage to Property and Burglary.

A thorough investigation was conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Franklin County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit.

The case was prosecuted by State’s Attorney Abby Dinn and Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Cockrum.