A Madison County, Illinois jury convicted Tara A. Anderson, 40, of first-degree murder on May 14, 2026, following a two-day trial in Edwardsville [1][2]. Anderson was charged in connection with the fatal shooting of her ex-boyfriend, Phillip Armstrong, 39, outside Anderson's Granite City home in September 2023 [1]. The case proceeded to trial on a single count of first-degree murder, and the jury returned its verdict after more than three hours of deliberation [2].
At trial, Anderson argued that she fired a warning shot, not an aimed round intended to strike Armstrong [1]. The prosecution, led by Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine, countered that the shot struck and killed Armstrong, negating any claim that it was intended only to warn [1][2]. The jury rejected Anderson's defense and returned a guilty verdict on the sole count [2].
The jury also found a firearm special enhancement, which carries a mandatory addition of 25 years to life to Anderson's sentence [1][2]. That enhancement, combined with the first-degree murder conviction, substantially increases the floor of any sentence the court may impose. A sentencing date had not been announced as of the verdict date.
No post-trial motion filings or appellate activity were reported as of the verdict date. Anderson's sentencing posture will be governed by the mandatory firearm enhancement, leaving the circuit court limited discretion on the low end of any sentencing range [1][2].