Derrick Matthews, the brother of Donna Matthews, accepted a plea deal Monday for his involvement in the July 4th, 2016 murder of Michael Gayan. Derrick Matthews plead guilty to 2nd degree intentional homicide which carries a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. The state will recommend 7 years of confinement and mandatory supervision for a period of time afterwards during sentencing. Matthews was also charged with harboring and aiding a felon and armed burglary, both of those charges were dismissed.
Donna Matthews took her case to a jury trial where she was found guilty of 1st degree intentional homicide earlier this month. The jury deliberated for just 3 hours rejecting Matthews' claim of self-defense. She faces life in prison. Derrick stated that he testified during his sister’s trial in hopes of a lighter sentence.
According to testimony and evidence during Donna Matthews’ Trial, Derrick and Donna had begun discussing the possibility of killing Gayan in April of 2016. On July 4th, 2016, Derrick picked Donna up from the Brat Stop after she flew into O’hare Airport in Chicago and caught a coach bus to Kenosha. Derrick rented Donna a room at the “Comfort Inn” near I-94 in Kenosha. He then left. Later that night he returned, handed Donna his gun and dark clothes, and drove her to Gayan’s home. Donna paid Derrick $500 to use his gun for the murder. Derrick then left. Donna then proceeded to kill Gayan in his downtown Kenosha home during the fireworks. She texted Derrick after the murder asking to be picked up. The duo then went to several bars in downtown Kenosha. Derrick later cleaned the gun and gave it to his ex-wife. Gayan's body was found weeks later.
Derrick Matthews’ sentencing is scheduled for September 14th at 1:30pm.
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