Arthur Jensen, who is 53 years old, has been found guilty of the murder of Adara Bunn, a teenage girl in Sheldon, Illinois, and has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. Jensen enticed Bunn to his home by offering to sell her Pocahontas cups.
Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Quinlan stated that Jensen was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder.
Background
Earlier this year, Arthur Jensen from Sheldon was found guilty of killing 17-year-old Adara Bunn in August 2019. Adara had visited Jensen’s home with her mother for a rummage sale, and had purchased some Disney glasses. Jensen had asked Adara to return the following day because he had more Disney cups that she might be interested in. However, Adara was strangled to death in Jensen’s home.
Although Jensen’s attorney did not deny his client’s responsibility for the killing, he argued against the charge of first-degree murder. According to the attorney, Jensen was not expecting Adara to come to his house that day, and the two had a conversation outside when she initially arrived.
Jensen became “startled” when he saw Adara in his living room after going to the bathroom area. He then tried to physically remove her, but in the struggle, he became enraged and pulled out a rope from his pocket that he had been using to pack up sale items in his garage.
Witnesses testified that they heard noises coming from Jensen’s home and heard Adara pleading to be let go. After this, they decided to call the police.
According to the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department, they received a disturbance call on the afternoon of Aug. 5, 2019, and responded to a residence on W. Main St. in Sheldon. Arthur C. Jensen, who was 49 at the time, was present at the home. Upon their arrival, Jensen immediately incriminated himself by stating that there was a girl inside and that he had strangled her.
Public Reactions
According to Sheldon resident Ray Huff, who spoke with WAND in 2019, Arthur Jensen appeared to be a “nice, easygoing fellow,” and the crime that he committed “totally” shocked the local community as it seemed to have come out of nowhere.
The Milford Area Public Schools are in mourning following the loss of 17-year-old Adara Bunn, who was a student in the district. The district has released a statement expressing their condolences and offering support to Adara’s family, as well as counseling services to students and staff who are struggling with the tragic news.
“We are suffering as a staff, student body, and community for this loss. Please keep the family of our student in your thoughts and prayers during this terrible time. We would like to offer comfort and support to any interested students by providing counseling services during the upcoming days.”
Trial and Sentencing
Jensen was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Jensen will be required to serve most of his sentence, but he will receive credit for the three years he has already spent in the Iroquois County Jail. Iroquois County States Attorney James Devine, who was in charge of the prosecution, expressed satisfaction with the sentence, as the state had initially requested a 50-year sentence.
During the court proceedings, Lance C. Cagle, Jensen’s defense lawyer, attempted to exclude Jensen’s on-site confessions. Cagle suggested a 30-year prison sentence for his client, which was ultimately rejected by the judge. Cagle has since confirmed that they have initiated the appeals process for Jensen.
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