BENTON – An Eldorado man was sentenced Thursday in Franklin County to 54 years in state prison for first degree murder and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon in connection with the April 2021 death of Dennis “Lance” Martin.

According to Franklin County State’s Attorney Abby Dinn, on April 15, 2021, 35-year-old Heath M. Dunning, who is a convicted felon, was driving on State Route 149 east of West Frankfort near New Lake Road when he stabbed Martin through the heart, killing him within moments.

Dinn charged Dunning with First Degree Murder, Unlawful Possession of Weapons by Felons, and Unlawful Restraint. A three-day jury trial was conducted at the Franklin County Courthouse in March 2023, with the jury returning verdicts of guilty on the murder and weapons charges.

Judge Tom Tedeschi sentenced Dunning Thursday to 48 years in state prison for First Degree Murder followed by 6 years in state prison for Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a Felon. The sentence will be followed by 3 years of mandatory supervised release.