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http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/81966.asp
Suffocation cited in Jacksonville woman's death
The former boyfriend of a Jacksonville woman found dead in her mobile home this week was formally charged with her murder Friday.
Aaron Winfert, 26, of Jacksonville was charged by Morgan County State's Attorney Chris Reif, and Circuit Judge Richard Mitchell found probable cause for the three counts of first-degree murder and set a bond of $1 million.
Winfert, through an interpreter for the deaf, asked for the assistance of a public defender, and Morgan County public defender Tom Piper was appointed to represent him. Piper also represents Winfert on other pending charges.
Mitchell set a preliminary hearing for April 4.
Reif said the charges are not a capital offense, so he will not seek the death penalty. First-degree murder is punishable, upon conviction, by 20 to 60 years in prison or 60 to 100 years on an extended sentence. All of the sentence would have to be served.
Winfert and the 26-year-old victim, Amber Burroughs, who was also deaf, lived in the 500 block of Stratford Lane in the Northwood Mobile Home Park. She was found dead at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after her sons, ages 7 and 4, went to a neighbor for help.
Winfert is the father of the boys, who are now staying with relatives.
Winfert, who has an extensive criminal record, was released on bond from the Morgan County Detention Facility on Tuesday after being held since January on a charge of residential burglary. Burroughs reportedly helped Winfert post the cash portion required on the bond.
Winfert was taken into custody late Wednesday at the home of a sister in Chicago on an initial charge of violation of an order of protection obtained against him by Burroughs on Jan. 20.
Reif said he could not be more specific about the murder charges other than to say the cause of death was suffocation. Morgan County Coroner Jeff Lair has not released information following an autopsy done Thursday.
"The alleged three counts are based on the alternative theories that are available under first-degree murder," Reif said. "As I was brought up to speed on the evidence, I felt confident to go forward with these charges, but I won't go into any more details other than to say it was based on suffocation."
Winfert and Burroughs attended the Illinois School for the Deaf in the 1990s.
Winfert also has two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge pending in Morgan County.
Suffocation cited in Jacksonville woman's death
The former boyfriend of a Jacksonville woman found dead in her mobile home this week was formally charged with her murder Friday.
Aaron Winfert, 26, of Jacksonville was charged by Morgan County State's Attorney Chris Reif, and Circuit Judge Richard Mitchell found probable cause for the three counts of first-degree murder and set a bond of $1 million.
Winfert, through an interpreter for the deaf, asked for the assistance of a public defender, and Morgan County public defender Tom Piper was appointed to represent him. Piper also represents Winfert on other pending charges.
Mitchell set a preliminary hearing for April 4.
Reif said the charges are not a capital offense, so he will not seek the death penalty. First-degree murder is punishable, upon conviction, by 20 to 60 years in prison or 60 to 100 years on an extended sentence. All of the sentence would have to be served.
Winfert and the 26-year-old victim, Amber Burroughs, who was also deaf, lived in the 500 block of Stratford Lane in the Northwood Mobile Home Park. She was found dead at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after her sons, ages 7 and 4, went to a neighbor for help.
Winfert is the father of the boys, who are now staying with relatives.
Winfert, who has an extensive criminal record, was released on bond from the Morgan County Detention Facility on Tuesday after being held since January on a charge of residential burglary. Burroughs reportedly helped Winfert post the cash portion required on the bond.
Winfert was taken into custody late Wednesday at the home of a sister in Chicago on an initial charge of violation of an order of protection obtained against him by Burroughs on Jan. 20.
Reif said he could not be more specific about the murder charges other than to say the cause of death was suffocation. Morgan County Coroner Jeff Lair has not released information following an autopsy done Thursday.
"The alleged three counts are based on the alternative theories that are available under first-degree murder," Reif said. "As I was brought up to speed on the evidence, I felt confident to go forward with these charges, but I won't go into any more details other than to say it was based on suffocation."
Winfert and Burroughs attended the Illinois School for the Deaf in the 1990s.
Winfert also has two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge pending in Morgan County.