Collinsville man pleads guilty to killing his neighbor because he was “pissed”
A Collinsville man pleaded guilty Friday to a single count of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his 40-year-old neighbor.
Robert T. Beckman, 58, was charged on June 18, 2018 after firing a Browning 12-gauge shotgun at the head of Daniel R. Lee and fleeing the scene. The two had been feuding, Lee’s father told the Belleville News-Democrat last year.
Beckman later admitted to police that he had a temper and that he killed Lee because he was “pissed.”
Following the plea hearing, Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney Chrystal Uhe said through a statement that she intends to seek the maximum sentence of 45 years without parole.
“While nothing can fill the void left behind by the tragic loss of Daniel Lee, this full admission of guilt by the defendant will hopefully give Daniel’s family and friends some amount of solace,” said Uhe. ”I intend to ask for a high sentence in this case so that Robert Beckman will never again be free in our community.”
Beckman may be sentenced to 20 to 45 years in a state prison.
Gary Lee, Daniel Lee’s father, told the Belleville News-Democrat that his son died in his arms.
According to Gary Lee, his son and Beckman had a dispute, but said the two hadn’t spoken in years. Daniel Lee suspected Beckman had vandalized and put glue in the locks of his truck years before, Gary Lee said.
Daniel Lee had gone to his father’s house at about 7:30 on the night of the shooting. They drank a few beers and watched the Cardinals game on TV on the back porch, according to his father.
Daniel Lee got up to leave, when his father said he heard Beckman shout, “I told you I would get you.”
Gary Lee said he saw the flash of a gunshot blast and ran to his son’s side. There was blood everywhere, and Gary Lee knew his son was in trouble.
Gary Lee said Beckman was easily angered by neighborhood events, like someone mowing too far onto his lawn, and he was a heavy drinker with a quick temper.
Illinois State Police troopers found Beckman at about midnight on Interstate 255, where he had been in a single vehicle crash. He was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries and later arrested by Collinsville Police.
