Caleb Witty Case: Man Pleads Guilty in 2011 Decatur Killing

Caleb Witty, a 17-year-old from Decatur, Illinois, was shot and killed in August 2011 while walking home from the Decatur Celebration street festival with his younger sister. On Monday, October 19, 2026, more than 15 years later, one of the two men charged in his death, Michael Isaiah Wallace, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on the day his jury trial was supposed to begin.

Police have said the two siblings were approached by two men who demanded money. Caleb stepped between the robbers and his sister so she could get away, and he was shot. For more than a decade nobody was charged. Decatur police finally announced two arrests in June 2024, and Monday's plea is the first conviction in the case.

Who Was Caleb Witty?

Caleb was a teenager from Decatur who had spent an evening at the Decatur Celebration, the city's large summer street festival, with his sister, who was 14 at the time according to Law&Crime. In announcing the 2024 arrests, then-Police Chief Shane Brandel described him as "a young man simply trying to enjoy an evening at the Decatur Celebration with his sister."

His family has waited a long time for this moment. In 2021, his mother, Jennifer Kirby, told WAND that the night still "does seem like yesterday." Caleb's brother was in the courtroom on Monday. He told local reporters the family was glad to see this part of the case end and that Caleb is still deeply missed. He also noted that the family has a younger sister, now in high school, whom Caleb never got to meet.

What Happened in Decatur in August 2011?

According to police, Caleb and his sister were walking home from the festival on the city's east side, in the area of Johns Avenue east of 22nd Street, when two men came up to them and tried to rob them. Caleb put himself in front of his sister, giving her time to run. He was shot several times and died.

The killing went unsolved for years. Law&Crime reported that detectives were eventually able to make arrests after witnesses came forward. Speaking about the breakthrough, Brandel said, "sometimes it's just that one domino that falls that leads to the arrest."

Has Anyone Been Arrested?

Yes. In June 2024, Decatur police announced the arrests of Michael Isaiah Wallace and Bobby L. Gipson, both originally from Decatur. Wallace was arrested in Decatur. Gipson, who had moved to Tennessee, was arrested there and held in the Knox County Jail in Knoxville while he waited to be returned to Illinois. Each man was charged with four counts of first-degree murder. A Macon County judge later ordered Wallace held in jail while the case moved forward, and Law&Crime reports that both men have stayed in custody without bond since their arrests.

At the time, Brandel called the arrests "a crucial step towards justice for Caleb Witty" and spoke of the department's "unwavering commitment to seeking justice for Caleb."

What Happened in Court on October 19?

Wallace's trial was set to open Monday in Macon County. Instead, he appeared before Judge Thomas Griffith and pleaded guilty to an amended count of first-degree murder. Under the agreement, prosecutors dropped the firearm enhancement, and the three other murder counts against him were dismissed. The judge accepted the plea and entered judgment.

The deal sets a range of 20 to 40 years in prison, with 40 years as the cap. Before accepting it, Griffith asked Wallace whether he understood the terms. "It could be as little as 20 or as many as 40. Do you understand those things?" the judge asked, according to FOX Illinois. Wallace said he did and that he wanted to go forward. WICS reported that his sentence will also include three years of mandatory supervised release, and that the judge ordered a presentence investigation report.

What About the Second Defendant?

Bobby Gipson still faces a first-degree murder charge in Caleb's death, and his case has not been resolved. His next court date is Thursday, November 5, 2026. FOX Illinois reported that a plea agreement was filed in Gipson's case in June and that he waived a jury trial, but said it was unclear whether the court had accepted that agreement; WAND has reported that he pleaded not guilty. Gipson is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.

What Police and Prosecutors Have Said

In a statement to Law&Crime, the Macon County State's Attorney's Office credited the "tireless efforts" of law enforcement, Caleb's family and ordinary members of the public for bringing the case to this point. WAND reported that the office also recognized former Sgt. Pruitt and Detectives Kuchelmeister and Kaylor for their work on the investigation. Decatur police have previously said the investigation remained ongoing.

What Happens Next

Wallace is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Macon County. Gipson is due back in court on November 5. Local outlets reported that those involved in the case declined interviews on Monday and plan to speak publicly after sentencing.

Timeline of the Caleb Witty Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who killed Caleb Witty?

Two men, Michael Isaiah Wallace and Bobby L. Gipson, were charged with first-degree murder in 2024. Wallace pleaded guilty on October 19, 2026. Gipson's case is still pending, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

What sentence does Michael Wallace face?

Under his plea agreement, Wallace faces 20 to 40 years in prison, capped at 40 years, plus three years of mandatory supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2026.

When did the Caleb Witty case get solved?

The killing happened in August 2011, and no one was charged until June 2024, when Decatur police announced two arrests. Law&Crime reported that witnesses coming forward helped lead to the arrests.

Was there a trial?

Wallace's jury trial was scheduled to start on October 19, 2026, but he pleaded guilty that morning instead, so no trial took place in his case. Gipson's case has not gone to trial.

MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.

Sources

• WAND: Michael Wallace pleads guilty in 2011 killing of Caleb Witty
• FOX Illinois: Trial never begins in 2011 Decatur murder case
• WICS NewsChannel 20: Man pleads guilty in 2011 killing of Caleb Witty
• Law&Crime: Report on the guilty plea in the Caleb Witty case
• WICS NewsChannel 20: Decatur police announce arrests in Caleb Witty case (2024)
• WICS NewsChannel 20: Judge denies pretrial release for suspect (2024)