By Community News Brief Staff The trial of a Macomb man accused of killing 21-year-old Bryson Saddoris, in July 2025, is tentatively set to begin the week of Nov. 16. Morgan Bearce, 25, appeared before Circuit Court Judge Nigel Graham Sept. 9 for another pre-trial hearing.
Bearce is represented by Mark Wykoff and Daniel Fultz of Springfield. The case was continued to another pre-trial hearing at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 20, where State's Attorney Matt Kwacala and Bearce's attorney will provide additional information regarding witnesses and any possible plea discussions. Additional motions are expected to be filed by Oct. 16, with responses due by Oct. 23.
See Bearce on page 14 At the Sept. 9 court hearing, Judge Graham ordered the continued detention of Bearce for the protection of the community. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice/destroying evidence in connection with the July 29, 2025 shooting death of Saddoris at 625 N. Randolph St. Bearce has pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial.
According to police reports following the murder, Bearce admitted that he shot Saddoris six times with a revolver, claiming he fired the additional shots to “put the victim out of his misery' after the initial gunshot. A second man, Sean Hayes, of Macomb, was initially arrested but was released Aug. 19, 2025 after charges were dropped by McDonough County State's Attorney Matt Kwacala, who determined there was new evidence that supported Hayes' release.
Prior to Sadoris' murder, authorities stated the three men (Bearce, Saddoris and Hayes) were smoking methamphetamine at Bearce's Randolph Street home. Hayes initially denied involvement in the shooting but reportedly had admitted to photographing Saddoris' body and cleaning the crime scene.
Bearce claims that he was in another room of the home when he heard a gunshot in his kitchen. He told police he found Hayes in the kitchen standing over Saddoris, holding a shotgun. He then allegedly handed Bearce a revolver and instructed him to put the victim out of his misery. Bearce admitted to emptying the revolver on the victim.
The crime was discovered a few days later when police descended on the home as Bearce loaded a car with drugs and guns. He initially told police that it was 'Sean's mess' in the laundry room. The crime was brought to the attention of law enforcement after Hayes allegedly posted a photo on social media of Saddoris' body.
In spite of being released following Saddoris's murder, Hayes continued to face arrest for numerous other charges. The 38-year-old Hayes was arrested a few months after the murder for two counts of disorderly conduct Oct. 3 for allegedly threatening a McDonald's employee, as well as threatening an individual near T.J. Maxx. On April 24, 2026, Hayes was arrested for allegedly stealing copper from utility vehicles. He was charged with possession of stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. In June of this year, Hayes was arrested for criminal trespass, as well as for theft of stolen property. He is set to appear at another pretrial hearing Sept. 15 for the October 2025, April 2026 and June 2026 charges.
