CLINTON COUNTY, Ill. – A New Baden, Illinois, man appeared at the Clinton County Courthouse last week to be sentenced after admitting to killing his ex-girlfriend in 2023.
Emmet E. Metzger, now 27, was sentenced to spend his natural life in prison for the murder of Alexis Maki, 24, on Nov. 4, 2023. Metzger previously pleaded guilty on April 7, 2025, to first-degree murder.
Prosecutors with the Clinton County State’s Attorney’s Office said Metzger shot and killed Maki after she broke up with him.
“There is no excuse for killing someone in cold blood after a breakup,” Clinton County State’s Attorney J.D. Brandmeyer said at the June 9 sentencing hearing. “Certainly, hurting someone’s feelings cannot be the slightest…justification for ending the life of a young woman that her entire life ahead of her.”
After killing Maki, Metzger called 911 to admit what he’d done, then walked to the New Baden Police Department to turn himself in.
Defense attorneys argued for some level of leniency based on Metzger’s mental state at the time of the crime. However, Brandmeyer said Metzger was never diagnosed with any mental health disorder, was never prescribed any medication for it, and Metzger did not seek any help.
According to online court records, the judge overseeing the case sentenced Metzger to 55 years in state prison. Brandmeyer said Metzger will not receive credit for the 583 days served in jail towards to his prison sentence.
