Two unrelated men named Austin Mullins have been convicted of murder in separate cases in different states, and searches for the name pull up both. One, Austin L. Mullins of Alton, Illinois, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of Jacob “Jake” Wall at a house party in Wood River, Illinois, and was sentenced to 32 years in prison in June 2026. The other, Austin Mullins of West Virginia, was convicted of second-degree murder at a January 2025 trial for the 2022 killing of Henry Silver in Marion County, a crime tied to the Pagan Motorcycle Club, and received a 40-year sentence. The two men are roughly six years apart in age and their cases have no connection to one another.
The Illinois Case: Jacob Wall’s Shooting in Wood River
Just after 4 a.m. on July 24, 2023, Wood River police were called to a house party on the 800 block of Tennyson Street.1Belleville News-Democrat. Metro East Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Party Shooting Jacob “Jake” Alan Wall, 23, of Wood River, was found shot. He was airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital and died at 5:45 a.m.2Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home. Jacob “Jake” Alan Wall Obituary
Prosecutors said an argument broke out between Wall and Austin L. Mullins, then 19. Mullins fired four shots into the ceiling, and when Wall told him to stop, Mullins shot Wall four times. He then fled and changed clothes at his girlfriend’s house.3Fox 2 Now. Alton Man Sentenced for Killing Acquaintance at House Party The Wood River police chief said the shooting was not random and that everyone at the home was an invited guest.4Advantage News. One Dead in Wood River Shooting A Madison County grand jury indicted Mullins on two counts of first-degree murder in August 2023.5The Telegraph. Alton Man Indicted in Wood River Murder
Guilty Plea and 32-Year Sentence
On January 27, 2026, Mullins pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court in Edwardsville to an amended count of first-degree murder. The charge was reworded from a shooting to “bludgeoned” to avoid gun-sentencing enhancements, and a second murder count was dismissed. The plea deal capped any sentence at 40 years, and prosecutors said they would push for the full 40.6The Telegraph. Austin Mullins Pleads Guilty to Murder of Jacob Wall7First Alert 4. Metro East Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Party Shooting
At sentencing in June 2026, Assistant State’s Attorneys Morgan Hudson and Lauren Maricle played a jailhouse phone call in which Mullins allegedly instructed his girlfriend to hide and dispose of the murder weapon. Wood River Detective Sgt. Brent Rombach testified the gun was never recovered and that Mullins gave investigators conflicting accounts of where it was. Rombach also testified that Mullins had been a suspect in two earlier non-fatal shootings of occupied Wood River homes, though no one was hit in those incidents.8Riverbender.com. Austin Mullins Sentenced to 32 Years in Wood River Killing
Defense attorney David Fahrenkamp asked for 13 to 16 years. He called clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Rod Hoevet, who testified that Mullins had intellectual disabilities that could “overwhelm his capacity” for sound judgment in a chaotic setting. Fahrenkamp described a “trifecta of disabilities”: low intelligence, possible autism, and an “emerging adult” tendency toward poor decisions. Dr. Hoevet also said there was a “very small likelihood” Mullins could be rehabilitated.9The Telegraph. Austin Mullins Sentenced in Jacob Wall Murder
Circuit Judge Kyle Napp acknowledged the learning disabilities but said Mullins also had “street smarts” and the ability to manipulate others. She told him directly: “No matter what the chaos was, you decided to shoot your friend four or five times.”9The Telegraph. Austin Mullins Sentenced in Jacob Wall Murder Wall’s mother and sister addressed the court.8Riverbender.com. Austin Mullins Sentenced to 32 Years in Wood River Killing
Napp imposed a 32-year sentence. Under Illinois law for first-degree murder, Mullins must serve 100 percent of it, with credit for time already served.10Advantage News. Alton Man Gets 32 Years in Wood River Murder
The West Virginia Case: Henry Silver and the Pagan Motorcycle Club
The other Austin Mullins, about six years older than the Illinois defendant, was convicted for his role in a Pagan Motorcycle Club-linked murder in Marion County, West Virginia. On September 9, 2022, Henry Silver was shot and killed in the Carolina area near Fairmont.11WDTV. Two Men Sentenced for Their Role in 2022 Pagan Murder in Marion County Prosecutors said John Wolfe, a Pagan Motorcycle Club member, orchestrated the killing after learning of a relationship between Silver and Wolfe’s girlfriend, then brought fellow club members in to carry it out.12WDTV. Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Marion County Gang Murder
A Marion County grand jury indicted five men in June 2023: Jonathan Biller, Derek Clem, Dane Hull, Austin Mullins, and John Lee Wolfe. Each was initially charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.13WV News. 5 Charged in Connection With Alleged 2022 Pagan Motorcycle Club Related Slaying in Marion County
Trial, Conviction, and 40-Year Sentence
Mullins went to trial in Marion County in January 2025. He took the stand, admitted killing Silver, and claimed self-defense. He testified he was the sole shooter and decision-maker and that other co-defendants were upstairs and unaware he was going to fire. His attorney, Kevin Tipton, argued the killing was not premeditated and asked the jury to convict on a lesser charge than first-degree murder.14Yahoo News. Mullins Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
The prosecution disputed his lone-shooter account. A 13-year-old witness testified that two men arrived in a truck and that Mullins was not alone in the parking lot when Silver was shot. Prosecutors also introduced three letters Mullins had written to a co-defendant in which he admitted the killing. On January 27, 2025, the jury convicted him of second-degree murder and use of a firearm during a felony, and acquitted him of conspiracy.14Yahoo News. Mullins Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
On March 31, 2025, Judge Matthew Delligatti sentenced Mullins, then 28, to 40 years for second-degree murder, 10 years for use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and 5 years on a recidivist charge indicating a prior criminal record. Prosecutors asked for consecutive sentences; the judge ordered them to run concurrently, leaving an effective 40 years.15WAJR. Sentence Handed Down in 2022 Marion County Pagan Motorcycle Club Killing16WDTV. Man Sentenced to Decades in Prison for 2022 Pagan Murder in Marion County John Wolfe, the alleged ringleader, was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2024 and sentenced in June 2024 to life without parole.12WDTV. Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Marion County Gang Murder
Telling the Two Austin Mullins Cases Apart
Because news coverage of both men has run in the same window, it is easy to conflate them. The Illinois Mullins was 19 at the time of the shooting in July 2023, is from Alton, and killed an acquaintance at a party in Wood River; he pleaded guilty and drew 32 years in state prison. The West Virginia Mullins was 28 at sentencing in March 2025, was one of six men charged in a Pagan Motorcycle Club-linked killing near Fairmont, went to trial, and drew 40 years. Different states, different courts, different victims, different defendants.