Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow announced Richard Proctor, 28, of Steger, was found guilty recently of First-Degree Murder (a Class X felony), following a jury trial before Judge Kenneth Zelazo. Sentencing and post-trial motions are scheduled for September 12.
On January 1, 2020, at 7:30 a.m., the Steger Police Department responded to an anonymous 911 call for an emergency welfare check at the 3602 Chicago Road residence. Steger Police found an individual, later identified as Ryan Connell, 28, lying on his back inside the kitchen of the residence. Upon entering the home, police found Connell unresponsive with knife wounds to his body. Connell later was pronounced deceased by emergency personnel at the scene.
Steger Police developed information that Proctor hosted a New Year’s party at his residence that included Connell and at least four other individuals. The witnesses testified Connell appeared extremely inebriated upon their arrival and, while there, Proctor, his girlfriend, and his guests also were drinking alcohol. Connell eventually was moved to a recliner, where he appeared to be asleep throughout the remainder of the evening. Witnesses testified Connell remained on the recliner as the guest left the home. Proctor was seen on video surveillance leaving the residence then returning a short time later before leaving again. Proctor’s girlfriend left the residence 15 minutes after Proctor, accompanied by his dog.
Proctor fled to a relative’s house one mile away, where his sweater was eventually recovered and found to have Connell’s blood on the sleeves. Additionally, the knife recovered from the scene containing Connell’s blood was bent at an almost 90-degree angle. Steger Policed later learned Proctor’s girlfriend was picked up at a nearby gas station by an acquaintance, who ultimately called 911 asking law enforcement to check on the residence.
After Proctor’s arrest, an inmate at the Will County Adult Detention Facility notified jail authorities he was asked by Proctor to assist him in hiring an individual to murder his girlfriend, the sole eyewitness to the murder. A Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was contacted by Proctor, who solicited the murder of that eyewitness.
Proctor is eligible for a mandatory prison sentence between 20-to-60 years, to be served at 100 percent.
State’s Attorney Glasgow commended the trial team of Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandria Molesky, Aristotelis “Telly” Theodorou, and Sarah Romero, Victim Witness Advocate Mallory Magee, Administrative Professional Danna Thayer, IT Specialist Albert Bailey, Steger Deputy Police Chief Peter Fajman, Detective Alex Farkas, and Sergeant Jordan Lane, as well as the members of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force for their dedication in this matter.