Cairo man sentenced to 26 years for beating death of girlfriend

Christopher H. Simpkins, 44, of Cairo, Illinois, was sentenced to 26 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Mark Clarke on Wednesday for his girlfriend’s death.

Simpkins pleaded guilty to the charge of first-degree murder in the Feb. 26 beating death of his girlfriend Gloria Wiggins, 25.

Simpkins was arrested Feb. 26 in Cairo after he told his sister about the crime that day.

Joanne Sally, Simpkins’ sister, spoke on his behalf Wednesday, and Simpkins also spoke, expressing remorse for his actions and said he did not mean to kill Wiggins.

The state set a cap of 30 years as its recommended sentence, but Clarke had the discretion to sentence Simpkins to up to 60 years in prison.

Pertinent address:

2000 Washington Ave., Cairo, Ill.