Cairo man pleads guilty to woman's beating death

CAIRO, Ill. -- Christopher H. Simpkins, 44, of Cairo pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree murder Wednesday in Alexander County Circuit Court for the beating death of a woman in her apartment.

Simpkins agreed to an open plea agreement with Alexander County state's attorney Zachary Gowin the state will cap its recommended sentence at 30 years. The other charges were dropped. Simpkins could face up 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and a fine of $25,000.

"I've never exceeded a state recommendation in a sentence hearing," Illinois First Judicial Circuit Judge Mark Clarke said. "It is possible for a judge to do whatever they feel is appropriate. There is nothing in this record that would suggest I would do that. I will give a great deal of deference to what the state has to say. You understand that there is an entire sentence range. I independently determine what sentence is appropriate."

Gowin read the evidence in the case that on Feb. 26, Simpkins beat his girlfriend Gloria Wiggins, 25, to death using his fists and knees.

Simpkins reportedly told his sister's boyfriend about the beating, who then told Cairo police. Officers found Wiggins' body later that day.

Gowin said a doctor was going to testify Wiggins died of shock because of blood loss from the beating.

Gowin said Simpkins told Cairo police he hit Wiggins repeatedly.

Simpkins and Wiggins had a son, and Gowin said he spent most of Feb. 26 with his son before he told his sister and her boyfriend about his crime.

Gowin said the motive for the beating was Simpkins believed Wiggins had cheated on him.

He also said Wiggins asked Simpkins for help off the floor after the beating, and Simpkins refused.

Simpkins agreed on the facts of most of the story and confirmed for Clarke he was pleading guilty to first-degree murder.

He said he never hit Wiggins with a closed hand, however, and Wiggins did not ask him for help.

He said Wiggins took a shower, came downstairs to see Simpkins and their son, then collapsed after she went back upstairs.

"I heard a loud thud," Simpkins said. "I ran upstairs, and I saw her on the floor. I shut the door so my son wouldn't see. I still plead guilty."

Simpkins is scheduled for a sentencing hearing at 1 p.m. Feb. 17.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

2000 Washington Ave., Cairo, Ill.