NEW BADEN, IL – A 27-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison for the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend following a breakup, leaving those who knew her grappling with an irreplaceable loss. Emmet Metzger received his sentence this week in a local courtroom, a judgment that came at the end of a painful legal journey.
During the sentencing, Clinton County State’s Attorney J.D. Brandmeyer emphasized the lasting impact of Metzger’s actions. Brandmeyer stated that many were harmed as a result of Metzger’s emotional response to the breakup and highlighted the profound loss suffered by the friends and family of the victim, Alexis Maki, who was just 24 years old.
Metzger pleaded guilty in April to the first-degree murder of Maki, a crime committed in November 2023 at their shared apartment. The relationship had ended a month prior, but they were still living together, according to court documents.
The 911 call placed by Metzger after the incident captured his immediate confession. “I did something so bad. I shot my girlfriend,” he admitted to the dispatcher, according to court records. This phone call provided critical evidence in the trial.
Maki’s mother, Lisa Brock, previously detailed a tense relationship marred by Metzger’s jealousy. She recounted to local media an incident where Metzger invited Maki to their apartment under the guise of seeing their pet one last time. Brock had advised her daughter against visiting, sensing trouble.
Prosecutors argued Metzger acted without provocation, a notion supported by Brandmeyer, who stated there was no justification for the murder. Despite attempts by Metzger’s defense team to present mental health issues as a mitigating factor, Brandmeyer pointed out Metzger’s lack of a formal diagnosis or prescribed treatment for any condition.
Further complicating Metzger’s defense was his admitted use of substances, including cocaine, THC, and alcohol, leading up to the crime. Despite this, records showed he denied having substance abuse issues and avoided treatment options.
At the sentencing, Brandmeyer remarked that while Metzger retains his life, the tragedy remains that Maki does not. The courtroom was a sober reflection of a young life cut short and the lasting repercussions faced by her loved ones.
With the sentencing, Brandmeyer expressed hope that those affected might begin to find a path toward healing. While acknowledging that no court outcome could return Maki to those who loved her, Brandmeyer emphasized a desire for some form of closure for the grieving family and friends.