JEFFERSON COUNTY —

A 23-year-old Mt. Vernon man sentenced to 20 years in prison three years ago on Jefferson County weapons charges will receive a second trial after the Fifth Appellate Court overturned his 2019 conviction.

Jamaro Kemmerling was sentenced on two Class X charges for armed violence, as well as Class 2 felony charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession of a converted firearm and two Class 4 felony charges for aggravated fleeing police.

Kemmerling’s came after a brief police pursuit on the south side of Mt. Vernon where he reportedly got his vehicle stuck in a yard.

He then allegedly fled on foot a short distance before Mt. Vernon officers surrounded him and successfully took him in to custody.

A search of his vehicle revealed a firearm, which combined with his criminal history led to Class X charges for armed violence, as well as Class 2 felony charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession of a converted firearm.

The jury deliberated for two hours before arriving at their verdict of guilty on all counts.

But last week the Appellate Court informed Jefferson County court officials the convictions were overturned and the case remanded back to Jefferson County for re-trial.