The following marriage licenses were filed in Christian County in October and November:

10/21/2023

DEREK STEVEN BIRDWELL – SPRINGFIELD, IL

SAMANTHA JO REEVES – SPRINGFIELD, IL

10/28/2023

JACOB WILLIAM MULL – SPRINGFIELD, IL

RAVEN ANNE LAWSON – SPRINGFIELD, IL

11/01/2023

PRASHANTH DAMERA – FITCHBURG, WI

ASHLEY NICOLE MAYS – TAYLORVILLE, IL

11/03/2023

CODY AUSTIN DONLEY – SPRINGFIELD, IL

BRITNEY ELIZABETH LONG – SPRINGFIELD, IL

11/07/2023

LAURA MARIE NAVE – MIRAMAR, FL

DONALD ALLEN GUNTER – MIRAMAR, FL

11/11/2023

JOSEPH DAVID FAHL – PALMER, IL

BLAIR PATRICIA BROCKELSBY – PALMER, IL

11/11/2023

JOHN EDWARD HAPNER – PANA, IL

ERIN RENEA NICOLAS – PANA, IL

11/16/2023

SETH ALAN DURBIN – DECATUR, IL

KELLY-ANNE WHYTE – LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM

11/18/2023

MATTHEW JAMES OVERBECK – SHELBYVILLE, IL

HANNAH MARIE RICHARDSON – SHELBYVILLE, IL

11/18/2023

CASEY JAMES WALTER – PANA, IL

SARAH ELIZABETH KENNEDY – PANA, IL

The following court cases were heard in front of Judge Morrison on Monday. 

Cale Sexson Reset for pretrial January 26th, 2024.

Kerri Skinner Reset for pretrial January 26th, 2024. 

Jeffrey Jones Case continued.  Jury Trial set for February 12th at 8:30 AM.  Status hearing set for January 11th.  

The following court cases were heard in Christian County Court on Thursday.

Joshua E. Bain:   hearing on the petition to remove monetary conditions of pretrial release and further pretrial on the petition to revoke scheduled for 12/19/2023 at 10 AM.

Bradley P. Graham: By agreement, Defendant's motion to remove monetary conditions of bond reset for hearing on 12/15/2023 at 11 AM.

Joshua C. Hawthorne:  pretrial hearing continued to 1/23/24 at 1:15 p.m.

Karla Price:  By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 01/11/2024 at 10 AM. Alleged victim may want to have the State dismiss but State needs to confer.

Rex Pruitt:  By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 01/30/2024 at 10 AM. State has answered discovery and will make a plea offer.

Aubrey Smith: Pre-trial set for 01/11/2024 at 10:00 in courtroom A.

Louquaris Sullivan:  final pretrial hearing scheduled for 2/20/24 at 1:15 PM. Jury trial scheduled for 3/4/24 at 8:30 AM. Both hearings are in person. 

James Eiskant: State's petition to deny pretrial release, and preliminary hearing. Petition to
strike denied for reasons stated on the record.Court finds probable cause regarding the preliminary hearing. Defendant waives arraignment, pleads not guilty, and demands jury trial. Pretrial hearing scheduled for 01/25/2024 at 10 AM.

Mysean D. Burden Pretrial hearing and hearing on motion to waive counsel scheduled for 2-23-24 at 10 a.m.

James Eiskant Case dismissed on motion of the State and pursuant to a refiling of the same charge in 23-CF-185. Motion granted over objection of Defendant. 

Scarlet D. Farlow  pretrial hearing continued to 12/13/2023 at 10 AM.

Lucas A Fenton Probable cause found for the detention of the Defendant. Hearing on the petition to deny pretrial release continued, by agreement, and on motion of the Defendant to 12/14/2023 at 8:15 AM. Defendant ordered detained until further order of court.

Hayden Klespitz Hearing adjourned to 2 PM December 12th

Steven D. Leonard  Defendant waives arraignment, pleads not guilty, and demands trial by jury. Pretrial hearing scheduled for 01/19/2024 at 10 AM.

Jack L. Skinner  pretrial hearing continued to 01/30/24 at 10 AM

Troy Woods Hearing on whether Defendant should be released pending sentencing pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/110-6.2 is scheduled for evidentiary hearing on 01/05/2024 for 30 minutes.

The following cases were heard on December 8th, 2023:

Kyle Adler: Defendant in custody with attorney, State's Attorney present. reset for status on 12/15/23 at 10 a.m.

Pamela Beyers: Defendant in person and with Attorney, State's Attorney present. Arguments of counsel heard on motions in limine; in consideration of the same, the Court: denies Defendant's motion in Limine #1; denies Defendant's motion in Limine #2; denies Defendant's motion in Limine #3; denies Defendant's motion in Limine #4; denies Defendant's motion in Limine #5. The parties have an on-going obligation to supplement discovery. the parties to contact the Chief Judge's office for sheduling of jury trial.

Scarlet Farlow: Defendant in custody with attorney, Assistant State's Attorney Depaepe present; Attorney Rahr granted leave to withdraw, Attorney Senger appointed. Reset for status/detention hearing on 12/12/23 at 10 a.m.

Jeremy Masters: Defendant in court with attorney, Assistant State's Attorney present. PTR withdrawn by the State; referred to collections.

Gilbert Neal: Defendant in court with attorney, ASA/SAP present. Warrant recalled and reset for status on 1/12/24 at 10 a.m.

The following cases were heard on December 7th, 2023:

Damery Binkley: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. By agreement, pretrial hearing and hearing on the motion for fulough scheduled for 12/11/23 at 10 a.m.

Michael Evrley: Defendant present by counsel and SP Kroncke present. By agreement, pretrial hearing scheduled for 1/23/24 at 10 a.m.

Brittany Hill: Defendant present with Public Defender and SP Havera present. By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 1/24/23 at 10 a.m. State to make plea offer and has not yet because still meeting with witnesses.

Bradley Long: Parties present by counsel. By agreement, motion re-bail and pretrial set for 12/11/23 at 2 p.m. remotely.

Jada Reeves: Defendant present by counsel and SP Kroncke present. By agreement, case continued for presentation of negotiated plea on 1/23/24 at 10 a.m. in person.

Chad Wilber: Defendant present with PD Senger and SP Kroncke present. Defendant was unable to meet with counsel to discuss the plea offer before today, but he will schedule and keep an appointment before the next date. Pretrial set for 1/23/24 at 10 a.m.

Dennis Wilcutt: Defendant present with Asst. Public Defender and Asst. State's Attorney present. By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 12/21/23 at 10 a.m. For reasons stated on the record, the Court finds continued detention necessary and that order shall remain in effect. Defendant admonished regarding possible right to appeal this order. PD trying to coordinate possible plea with Richland County but they are not being responsive.

Timothy Wiseman: Defendant present with Public Defender and SP Havera present. By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 1/12/24 at 10 a.m.

Andrew Woods: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 1/11/24 10 a.m. The State will withdraw any plea offers if Defendant does not accept the plea agreement on that date.

The following cases were heard on December 4th, 2023:

Bobbie Abberley: State's Attorney McWard present, Defendant appears with Assistant Public Defender Grigsby. Defendant pleads guilty to the information; pursuant to plea. Defendant sentenced as follows: 24 months of probation with standard terms and conditions to apply, 2-days in Christian County Jail for 1 day served (day-to-day apply), substance abuse counseling as recommended by probation, subject to random testing, $500 fine plus assessments. rule 404 waiver granted and Defendant to pay $20 per month towards balance starting on January 15th, 2024 and continuing on the 15th of each month thereafter until paid in full. Appeal rights given; probation to monitor.

Damery Binkley: State's Attorney McWard present, Defendant in custody of Christian County Jail with Assistant Public Defender Grigsby. Charges and penalties explained; State seeks to detain and proceed on preliminary hearing/detention hearing. State called Officer Nick Todd, who is sworn and testifies. Probable cause found by way of Officer Todd's testimony to hold the Defendant over for trial; proceeded to arguments on detention. Court having considered the pretrial services report, the testimony of Officer Todd, and the arguments, finds taht the State has meet its burden for purposes of pretrial detention. State's request to detain granted for reasons stated on the record. Defendant ordered detained until further order of Court; Defendant to file a motion for furlough. Hearing on motion for furlough/arraignment set for December 7th, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Jason Rhodes: State's Attorney McWard present, Defendant with Attorney Noll present via Zoom. Charge and penalties explained; not guilty plea entered with jury trial demand. Defendant waives right to formal arraignment; matter set for pretrial only on January 23rd, 2024 at 10 a.m.

The following cases were heard on December 1st, 2023:

Michael Beck: Defendant present pro se and State's Attorney present. Defendant admonished regarding charges, penalties, and rights. By agreement, Public Defender appointed to represent Defendant. Preliminary hearing scheduled for in person hearing on 12/11/23 at 10 a.m. In person writ to issue.

Wade Bottoms: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. Case called for preliminary hearing. Officer sworn and testifies. Court finds probable cause. Defendant waives arraignment, pleads not guilty and demands trial by jury. Pretrial hearing scheduled for 1/30/24 at 10 a.m. Regarding the pretrial release violation reports, defendant has a substance-abuse assessment scheduled for 12/11/23. State does not request sanctions or modification at this time. Conditions of release reviewed nd no request made to modify by either party.

Jerald Buerk: Defendant present with counsel and State's Attorney present. By agreement, final pretrial hearing scheduled for 2/20/24 at 1:15 p.m. Jury trial scheduled for 3/4/24 at 8:30 a.m. Both hearings are in person. Parties ordered to file pretrial motions at least 30 days before the jury trial to be heard at the final pretrial hearing. Trial in abstentia admonition given.

Arianne Dowdy: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 1/30/24 at 10 a.m. Parties still negotiating.

Joshua Foil: Defendant present with counsel and State's Attorney present. By agreement, case continued for presentation of negotiated plea on 1/18/24 at 10 a.m.

Jeremy Masters: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. By agreement, pretrial hearing continued to 12/8/23 at 10 a.m in person.

Austin Mayes: Defendant present with Public Defender in custody of the Sheriff and State's Attorney present. Parties stipulate to admission of IDHS 90 days report. Court finds Defendant has been restored to fitness. See written order. Hearing on the motion to remove monetary conditions of pretrial release scheduled for hearing on 12/1/23 at 10 a.m.

Eric Merritt: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. Negotiated plea presented and approved by the Court, whereby Defendant pleads guilty to the charge of aggravated fleeing and eluding. Judgment of conviction entered. By agreement, Defendant sentenced to 18 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by six months of mandatory supervised release, to be served at the rate of 50%, with credit for 99 days served. Sentenced to run concurrently with any sentences he is currently serving. Defendant assessed a $1000 fine plus assessments. Assessments waived pursuant to 404 certification. No balance remains. See written orders.

Jaycie Rogers: Defendant present with counsel and State's Attorney present. By agreement, final pretrial hearing scheduled for 2/20/24 at 1:15 p.m. Jury trial scheduled for 3/4/24 at 8:30 a.m. Both hearings are in person. Parties ordered to file pretrial motions at least 30 days before the jury trial to be heard at the final pretrial hearing. Trial in abstentia admonition given.

Justin Sexton: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. Negotiated plea presented and approved by the Court, whereby Defendant pleads guilty to the charge of Unlawful delivery of methamphetamine (count I). Count to dismiss pursuant to negotiated plea. Judgment of conviction entered. By agreement, Defendant sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections followed by one year of mandatory supervised release, to be served at the rate of 50%, with credit for time served of 264 days. Sentenced to run concurrently with the sentence imposed in Sangamon County case 23-CF-212. Defendant assess the financial obligation set forth in the financial sentencing order. Bond in all pending cases ordered to be applied with any remaining assessments waived pursuant to rule 404. See written orders.

Brad Tolen: Defendant fails to appear. Warrant to issue with no bond over objection of Defendant's counsel. Geographic limits of the warrant are Christian County and surrounding counties.

Charles Tucker: Defendant present remotely pro se and State's Attorney present. Petition for expungement granted without objection but State advises that it still may refile the charge in the initial dismissal was without prejudice.

Keith Weller: Defendant present with Public Defender and State's Attorney present. Negotiated plea presented and approved by the Court, whereby Defendant pleads guilty to the charge of possession of methamphetamine. No judgment of conviction entered. By agreement, Defendant sentenced to two years of treatment court probation (drug court). Defendant assessed a probation service fee of $25 per month for 24 months. Bond pending in any cases is ordered to be applied. This sentence is ordered to run consecutively to the sentence imposed in case 19-CF-206. Defendant ordered to immediately report to the probation department upon his release from the Illinois Department of corrections. See written orders.

James Williams: Defendant present with counsel and State's Attorney present. By agreement, case continued for presentation of negotiated plea on 12/15/23 at 10 a.m. in person.