“Shannon won.”

Cindy McNamara was overheard saying that statement after walking out of Courtroom 1 of the Coles County Circuit Court Wednesday.

Former Eastern student Anthony Blaine Mertz murdered McNamara’s daughter, Shannon, a jury of seven men and five women ruled Wednesday evening.

The Charleston community, including Eastern, won as well.

Justice was served, and a cold, calculating monster likely won’t walk the streets of Charleston — or any other streets — again.

Shannon McNamara’s brutal murder didn’t go without consequences as State’s Attorney Steve Ferguson promised it wouldn’t in opening statements 10 days before the verdict.

But Mertz doesn’t look like a cold-blooded killer. The broad-shouldered, soft-spoken former Navy man looks part all-American boy.

Wednesday, and the events of June 12, 2001, paint a far different picture.

He did all of the horrible things he was accused of and grinned on a daily basis about it. He strutted through the courtroom. He also planned to brag about it, a witness testified.

The coward’s rotten existence in a jail cell won’t be a proud one.

While trying to gain an acquittal for Mertz, defense attorney Paula Phillips attempted to kill the pride and demean the hard work and dedication of local authorities.

Phillips drug the reputation of law enforcement in Coles County through the mud. She attempted to discredit an Eastern graduate and DNA expert. She called honorable people and former co-workers of Mertz, who worked in Lantz, liars.

She was unsuccessful on all counts.

What may not be repaired is Charleston’s reputation. Mertz bloodied Charleston and Eastern’s standing as a Mayberry.

Residents will deadbolt doors now. They’ll look over their shoulders a few more times, or maybe they won’t go out at night.

The area’s innocence was lost through Mertz’s guilt.

The damage can’t be repaired with a guilty verdict.

Parents might still caution their children about attending Eastern. They might say a few extra prayers at night. They’ll pray there aren’t more like him lurking in the shadows.

Because of this case, and too many others like it, fathers teach their daughters self defense, and best friends start self-defense groups such as “Girls fight back.”

A crime Mertz can’t be convicted of, but should be, is taking away the trust of so many.

Shannon’s life touched many. She was active in her community and back home in suburban Rolling Meadows, few were better than her on the local high school track scene.

She was excited about teaching physical education at a high school, possibly to some of her classmates’ children. She loved it at Eastern, her father Bob testified.

Her legacy of love lives on, and no one can ever snuff that out callously.

Phillips said during closing statements that the trial was “Anthony’s moment.”

But Shannon delivered the evidence. She tore into the monster during the struggle. She rattled the coward. She spoke through the jury’s verdict and through the McNamara family.

Phillips lied.

This was Shannon’s day.