Sentencing delayed for Peoria man charged with 2023 murder

PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - A Peoria man charged with the murder of a Princeville woman in an April 2023 Dunlap shooting had his sentence delayed.

Thursday morning, a Peoria County courtroom was packed for the long anticipated sentencing for 27-year-old Walter Artis Jr. He is charged with shooting and killing 22-year-old Alexis Boland last spring, and he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

However, the sentencing didn't happen.

Inside the courtroom, an audible sigh could be heard from the crowd of people wearing shirts that stated, "#loveforlexi" on them. Judge Kate Gorman granted Artis' attorney's request for a continuance of the trial.

His defense attorney argued he thought the motion to withdraw Artis' guilty plea deal would be discussed before sentencing, and that the family did not have adequate time to send in character letters.

Gorman said she did not want to hear anything from the courtroom audience, but said she felt for those impacted by the murder.

"My heart is aching for all the people who have been adversely affected," said Gorman.

Court documents confirmed Artis and Boland had children together.

In exchange for his guilty plea to murder, prosecutors dropped the attempted murder and aggravated battery charges.

Artis' sentencing was rescheduled for Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.