Eva D. Heisch was found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in Illinois in 2016. She alleged that her trial counsel was ineffective in their representation. Heisch claimed that her attorneys failed to prevent the State from using her post-Miranda right to silence as evidence, submit limiting instructions for statements made by officers during her interrogation, request separate verdict forms for intentional and felony murder, and file a post-sentencing motion. She further claimed that her sentence was disproportionate to her role in the offense and did not take into account mitigating considerations or rehabilitation aims. During the sentencing, Heisch voiced discontent with her attorneys' performance, claiming that critical evidence was not provided in her defense. The appellate court ruled that the trial court did not undertake a preliminary inquiry into Heisch's pro se charges of inadequate assistance of counsel, as required by People v. Krankel (1984). The court remitted the matter to the trial court to determine the validity of her allegations and if fresh counsel should be appointed for future hearings.
We’ll have to kill him because he knows me.
Eva Heisch. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Springfield, IL. September 16, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.
Eva D. Heisch, born on March 28, 1971, is a woman from Farmington, Missouri, who was involved in a high-profile criminal case. She was convicted for the murder of 68-year-old Daniel A. Taylor, a retired truck driver from Collinsville, Illinois, in December 2015.
Background and Crime
Daniel Taylor was found dead in his home on December 6, 2015. The crime scene was particularly gruesome, with Taylor suffering multiple stab wounds and his throat being slit. The brutality of the murder indicated a personal motive, and there were no signs of forced entry, suggesting that Taylor knew his assailants.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation quickly focused on Eva Heisch and her boyfriend, Jessie James Werley. Taylor was a regular at a strip club where Heisch worked, and it was believed that the two had a personal relationship. Despite initial suspicions, there was no immediate evidence linking Heisch and Werley to the crime.
However, Heisch later voluntarily met with investigators and provided statements that implicated herself and Werley in the murder. The motive appeared to be robbery, as several of Taylor's belongings, including a watch, a computer tablet, a bottle of rum and some clothing items, were missing from his home.
Trial and Sentencing
Heisch was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. During the trial, the prosecution presented a strong case, highlighting the brutality of the crime and the premeditated nature of the robbery. Eva Heisch presented many defenses throughout her trial. Her defense claimed there was no forensic evidence linking her to the crime, and her DNA was not discovered at the scene. Heisch stated that her boyfriend and co-defendant, Jessie James Werley, pressured her to make contradictory claims. On appeal, Heisch contended that her trial attorneys were inadequate in preventing the prosecution from exploiting her post-Miranda right to silence as proof of guilt. Despite these arguments, the jury ruled Heisch guilty. On August 26, 2019, a Madison County jury found Heisch guilty of both charges, resulting in a 90-year sentence.
Jessie James Werley, born in 1981, was responsible for the savage murder of Daniel A. Taylor in December 2015. He and Eva D. Heisch robbed Taylor's home, stabbing him several times and slitting his throat. The goal was to steal Taylor's possessions, which included a watch, a computer tablet, and some apparel. Werley was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, and he pled guilty in December 2016. As part of his plea agreement, he was sentenced to 40 years in jail, with 100% of the time served. Werley is currently serving his sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections as part of the legal settlement of the case.
In October 2019, Heisch was sentenced to 90 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. She received a 60-year sentence for first-degree murder, which she is required to serve in full, and an additional 30 years for armed robbery, of which she must serve 85%. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime and the need for justice for the victim and his family.
Current Status
As of the latest updates, Eva D. Heisch remains incarcerated, serving her sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Her case remains a stark reminder of the severe consequences of violent crime and the impact it has on victims and their families.
The case of Eva D. Heisch was featured in an episode of the show Signs of a Psychopath. The episode titled “Something a Man Would Do” aired on July 9, 2023. It delves into the brutal murder of Daniel A. Taylor and explores the psychological aspects of the crime.
VIDEO: Something a Man Would Do | https://youtu.be/kdHcg1uEt5U
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