Man accused of killing Rockford rapper will stand trial this summer

Jim Hagerty, Rockford Register Star
·2 min read
The Winnebago County Courthouse is seen here on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Rockford.

ROCKFORD — A Rockford man accused of killing a local rapper in 2019 will stand trial this summer.

According to court records, Eric L. Brown is scheduled to face multiple counts of first-degree murder when his jury trial begins Aug. 9 in front of Judge Ronald White.

Brown, 30, of Rockford, is accused of fatally shooting 42-year-old Robert Wash on Oct. 15, 2019, outside of an apartment building in the 4900 block of Harrison Avenue. That’s where officers found Wash suffering from a gunshot wound. He died a Rockford hospital.

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Wash, who went by the stage name, Pair A Dice, was a local rapper known for his positive lyrics.

Brown is also charged with home invasion and armed robbery in connection with Wash’s death. He also faces multiple gun charges in two pending unrelated cases filed in 2019.

Brown was found guilty in February of being an armed habitual criminal, a Class X felony that comes with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on May 17; however, Assistant Public Defender Margie O’Connor has filed a motion for discovery and a motion for a new trial. White has yet to rule on either motion.

In the other 2019 case, Brown is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and armed habitual criminal, court records show.

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Records also show that two counts of possession of a controlled substance filed against Brown were dismissed and never went to trial. The charges were filed in February 2016, after a car Brown was passenger in collided with another car and killed BMO Harris Bank employee Joy Lambert.

Brown’s next court date is set for 1 p.m., May 17, in Courtroom 316 at the Winnebago County Courthouse. He’s currently lodged in the Winnebago County Jail. His bond is $650,000.

First-degree murder is punishable by 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Home invasion and armed robbery are both punishable by six to 30 years.

Jim Hagerty: jhagerty@rrstar.com; @jimhagerty

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Man accused of killing Rockford rapper 'Pair A Dice' to stand trial