A Gibson City man accused of murder has turned down a plea offer that would have limited his prison time to 14-years. Ryan Nibbe turned down a second-degree murder plea from the Ford County State's attorney's office (Monday).

A January 14 trial date was set.

The 34-year-old Nibbe is charged with one count of second-degree murder and two counts of felony battery in connection with a July 28 altercation outside an apartment building in Gibson City.

Nibbe is accused of punching 44-year-old Timothy Robertson of Gibson City in the head. Robertson later died from head trauma.

State's Attorney Matt Fitton offered to dismiss two counts of felony battery in return for a guilty plea to second-degree murder. Under truth-in-sentencing sentencing guidelines, Nibbe faces a mandatory prison term ranging from four to 20 years in prison and three years of mandatory supervised release.

Nibbe remains jailed on $400,000 bond.

94.1 FM, WGFA