Cory Gregory gets same sentence in 2005 killing of Adrianne Reynolds

clarification: TV6 has learned that Cory Gregory identifies as female and now goes by the name Harli Quinn. TV6 will use that name in future coverage of the case.

ROCK ISLAND Co., Ill. (KWQC) - Cory Gregory, convicted in the 2005 death of 16-year-old Adrianne Reynolds, was re-sentenced Wednesday to 45 years in prison.

It’s the same sentence - 40 years for murder and five years for concealment of a homicidal death - Gregory received when she was originally sentenced in 2006 in Rock Island County Circuit Court.

Gregory was 17 at the time. She is now 34 years of age, identifies as female and goes by the name Harli Quinn. TV6 decided to honor the new name.

An Illinois Supreme Court ruling found that 40 years for a juvenile is considered a de facto life sentence and is unconstitutional. In 2019, a Rock Island County judge ruled Quinn would receive a new sentencing hearing. The Illinois Supreme Court later upheld that ruling.

The re-sentencing hearing took place on Wednesday in the Rock Island County Courthouse, where Judge Peter Church stated the court was “duty bound” to uphold the sentence.

Defense Attorney Drew Larson had argued for the sentence to be cut to 20 years due to juveniles not having as developed of brains as adults.

“Juniors tend to compound or bad decisions with further bad decisions because they don’t know how to process what they’re doing, don’t know how to seek help,” he said during his argument.

Joanna Reynolds, the stepmother of Adrianne, disagreed. “The law says a juvenile can’t get more than 40 years,” she said, “Harli Quinn was no 12 or 14-year-old. Harley Quinn was less than a year of being of age.”

Special Prosecutor Jonathan Barnard giving a figurative argument that Adrianne received the death penalty and her family received life sentences, thus Quinn deserves the time. “How could any of us as human beings say that compares to those sentences imposed by the defendant unilaterally,” he asked, “how can we say that 45 years is excessive?”

“I was a child and all I’m asking the court to do is recognize the child that I was,” stated Quinn in an address to the court. Then, turning to Reynolds’ family, Quinn pleaded. “If I could give my life I would. I’m sorry, I know it doesn’t make a difference. I know you’ll never forgive me and I’d never ask because I don’t deserve it.”

Quinn also stated in her address to the court that she is trying to do whatever she can so that she can one day “look [Adrianne] in the eye in the next life.”

“Every day I wish I could bring her back and it never leaves me,” she said.

It’s a statement that Adrianne’s father Tony did not take well. “I’m pretty sure you’re going to hell you’re not going to see her,” said Reynolds.

17 years after Reynolds’ murder, her family remains angry that it happened. On Wednesday, they felt they got a victory for justice.

“I’m glad it turned out the way it did,” said Tony Reynolds, “I didn’t think it was going to change but I’m glad it didn’t.”

Sarah Kolb has also appealed her sentence and is seeking clemency in her case.

Background:

In 2005 at age 17, Gregory and 16-year-old Sarah Kolb killed 16-year-old Adrianne Reynolds in a Taco Bell parking lot. According to prosecutors, the two held Reynolds down in a car and strangled her with a belt.

The pair attempted to burn her body, but ultimately dismembered it and disposed of parts in a garbage bag at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island.

This is a developing story. TV6 will provide updates on-air and online.

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