Carl Dane found dead at the Perry County Jail!

Friday, August 5 the Perry County Coroner’s Office responded to the Perry County Jail for an inmate deceased in his cell. Carl Dane, 19, of Pinckneyville, was pronounced dead at 5:00 a.m. in his cell. Illinois State Police Investigative Unit and Crime Scene Unit were called in to handle the investigation per protocol.

Update From the Illinois State Police: Today, special agents with the Illinois State Police initiated an investigation into the death of Perry County jail inmate, Carl Dane, 19, of Pinckneyville. Dane was found dead in his cell early this morning by jail personnel. Dane was to be transferred today to Menard Correctional Center to begin serving a 60-year-sentence for the 2010 murder of Sidnee Stephens of Pinckneyville. No foul play is suspected at this time. The investigation is continuing.

The incident is currently under investigation by Perry County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.

Autopsy and Toxicology results are pending.

As first reported in this week's Pinckneyville Press, Dane was set to leave Perry County today (Friday, August 5) for processing into the Illinois Department of Corrections through the Menard Correctional Center in Chester.

Carl Dane, 18 years of age at the time of arrest, DOB 3-10-92, Recently entered a plea of Guilty to the First Degree Murder of then 15 year old Sidnee Stephens. The murder occurred on or about 7/18/10 or 7/19/10. All other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Dane was sentenced to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with credit for time served since his arrest on 7/28/10. He will serve 100% of the 60 years. Carl Dane was represented by attorneys Brian Trentman and Ethan Skaggs. Both were present at the plea. Both attorneys were appointed and compensated through the Capital Litigation Fund. The Plea was entered in front of Judge James Campanella.