Convicted murderer wants new trial in La Salle County

Facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison, a Dayton man wants a new trial.

Forty-nine-year-old William Horman was found guilty earlier this month of beating to death Ottawa truck wash owner Robert Dowd. He will be sentenced next month and could get up to 60 years.

Earlier this week the public defender’s office filed paperwork asking for a new trial. The claim is there were errors made before and during Horman’s trial.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says the appeal for a new trial is just a formality.