Richard Proctor sentenced to 40 years for murder

Richard Proctor, 30, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of Ryan Connell, 28. The fatal stabbing happened at a New Year's Eve party in 2019. Proctor was convicted of first-degree murder in 2020, and the sentence was delivered by a Will County judge on Tuesday. Ryan Connell's family expressed mixed emotions after the sentencing. His aunt, Lori Fugate, believed the sentence would be close to 45 years. She felt that the 40 years was justified. Rachel Teneyuca, Ryan’s stepmother, thought the sentence was more than the minimum but still wanted a longer term. Judge Kenneth Zelazo took several factors into account when deciding the sentence. These included Proctor's previous criminal history and behavior during the trial. Proctor had been disruptive, which led to additional contempt charges, although these were not considered significant compared to the murder charge. During the trial, Teneyuca emphasized the impact of Ryan's death on their family, mentioning that Scott Connell and his brothers also died within a few years. Although Judge Zelazo did not consider those deaths in the sentence, Fugate felt that the 40-year term represented a form of justice for all the lost family members. Ryan Connell was known for his easygoing and quiet demeanor. His family remembered him as a loyal friend with a great sense of humor. His aunt shared fond memories, stating he was helpful yet often made a mess in the kitchen. Proctor is also facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to kill a key witness in the case. Meanwhile, Connell's family plans to attend all court dates as they continue seeking justice for him. Proctor's attorney has stated plans to appeal the sentence.