Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 15, 2006 10:35:46 GMT -5
Prosecutor eyes death penalty for Morgan
By Nick Vogel
Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:53 PM CDT
Times staff writer
EUREKA - Woodford County State's Attorney Mike Stroh told Judge John B. Huschen that he needs more time to decide if he will seek the death penalty for convicted rapist and accused murderer Hershel Morgan.
Morgan, 22, of Peoria was indicted in July in Woodford County on 10 felony counts of first degree murder relating to the death of Jessica Curless.
Curless' murder is alleged to have occurred between Jan. 10 and March 3 of 2006.
He also is being charged in Woodford County with home invasion and armed burglary.
In April, Morgan was convicted of rape, burglary and other charges in Tazewell County. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
In July, the Pekin Daily Times reported that Morgan allegedly struck Curless on the head with a hammer, intending to prevent her from participating in, or giving material assistance to, the investigation of the crimes Morgan was suspected of committing in Tazewell County.
Curless was last seen alive on Jan. 9 and was reported missing by her parents. Her fully clothed body was found March 3 in Spring Bay, near a house and barn on an abandoned farmstead.
Stroh will tell the court at a third pretrial hearing, at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 25, whether he will seek the death penalty for Morgan.
The court was expecting Stroh to make his decision by Wednesday's pretrial.
Stroh told the judge he needed another seven days to file his decision. When Huschen reminded Stroh that his decision was expected that day, Stroh told the judge he misunderstood some of the last pretrial.
The chained Morgan, dressed in a yellow prison jumpsuit and escorted by prison guards, stood before the judge but did not speak a word during Wednesday's pretrial hearing.
Morgan is being represented by public defender Scott Baldwin.
Pekin Times
By Nick Vogel
Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:53 PM CDT
Times staff writer
EUREKA - Woodford County State's Attorney Mike Stroh told Judge John B. Huschen that he needs more time to decide if he will seek the death penalty for convicted rapist and accused murderer Hershel Morgan.
Morgan, 22, of Peoria was indicted in July in Woodford County on 10 felony counts of first degree murder relating to the death of Jessica Curless.
Curless' murder is alleged to have occurred between Jan. 10 and March 3 of 2006.
He also is being charged in Woodford County with home invasion and armed burglary.
In April, Morgan was convicted of rape, burglary and other charges in Tazewell County. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
In July, the Pekin Daily Times reported that Morgan allegedly struck Curless on the head with a hammer, intending to prevent her from participating in, or giving material assistance to, the investigation of the crimes Morgan was suspected of committing in Tazewell County.
Curless was last seen alive on Jan. 9 and was reported missing by her parents. Her fully clothed body was found March 3 in Spring Bay, near a house and barn on an abandoned farmstead.
Stroh will tell the court at a third pretrial hearing, at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 25, whether he will seek the death penalty for Morgan.
The court was expecting Stroh to make his decision by Wednesday's pretrial.
Stroh told the judge he needed another seven days to file his decision. When Huschen reminded Stroh that his decision was expected that day, Stroh told the judge he misunderstood some of the last pretrial.
The chained Morgan, dressed in a yellow prison jumpsuit and escorted by prison guards, stood before the judge but did not speak a word during Wednesday's pretrial hearing.
Morgan is being represented by public defender Scott Baldwin.
Pekin Times