For the Record

Christian County Court Cases 12/16/16

These are the results of the following court cases heard on Friday, December 16th at the Christian County Courthouse.

 

15CF244 - Coleman, Toni R - PreTrial - Defense making a mental health court referral. Next court date set for January 12th.

 

16CF124 - Coleman, Toni R - PreTrial - Defense making a mental health court referral. Next court date set for January 12th.

 

16CF202 - Emery, Michael W - PreTrial - Defense has made a counteroffer to state. Requests to continue for possible plea. Set for December 19th.

 

16CF209 - Emery, Michael W - PreTrial - Defense has made a counteroffer to state. Requests to continue for possible plea. Set for December 19th.

 

16CF229 - Ferguson, Brian K - Prelim Hearing - State calls Jason Cole with the Pana Police Department to the stand. Testified that he responded to a call from someone who had said Ferguson had cut his own throat and set her house on fire. When he arrived at the scene the house was fully engulfed in flames. Said the homeowner said she found Ferguson at the residence with a boxcutter and a gas can, and told him to leave. Said Ferguson assaulted her and held her down on her bed. Said she informed investigators that he wanted her to watch as he inflicted harm to himself. Victim was able to escape and run to the neighbors house. During escape she witnessed Ferguson setting fire to her home. Officer Cole testified that Ferguson had arrived at a neighbors home already covered in blood, grabbed a box cutter then left. Officer cole positively identified Ferguson in court. Testified that Chief Bland viewed Ferguson, who made motions towards Bland to stay back, before entering his own residence. Testified that an Illinois Police SWAT team knocked down Ferguson’s front door after which Ferguson came to the door and collapsed. A search warrant was obtained and officers found a boxcutter with blood on it, as well as Ferguson’s clothing that smelled of gasoline. During cross examination Officer Cole stated he knew that the victim owned the residence. Testified that Ferguson did not make any verbal threats towards victim, and the only verbal threats were for him to harm himself. Said there was force used however to enter residence and to restrain victim. State argues that probable cause should be found based on the testimony given by Officer Cole, and several previous court cases with results pertinent to this case in regards to issues of home invasion and threatening someone with a deadly weapon. Court finds that probable cause does exist to bring the case to trial. Defense waives formal arraignment and enters plea of not guilty. Requests a February trial date. Set for jury trial

 

15CF072 - Millburg, Sherry L - PTR/PreTrial - Defendant has the flu and doesn’t appear in court. No history of FTAs. Defense moves to continue case.


16CF228 - Thompson, Antonio L - Status on Hiring Counsel - Defense has not been able to find counsel and asked for a continuance. Said he’s been in contact with several attorneys and needed time to get the funds together to hire one. Set for January 27th for potential first appearance with counsel.

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