Homeless man indicted in Illinois murder

Thursday, August 21, 2008
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) -- A Peoria County grand jury has returned a one-count indictment charging a homeless man with first-degree murder in the death of an 18-year-old woman.

A maintenance worker doing his morning rounds at Sterling Middle School on July 29 found the body of Jessica S. Wesson, who lived with a foster mother in Peoria.

Authorities allege 21-year-old Ernest Coffey stabbed Wesson to death. Police have not revealed a motive, though Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons has said the two had an "unconventional relationship."

Coffey, who is scheduled to enter a plea on Thursday, is being held in lieu of $2 million bond. If convicted he faces 20 to 60 years in prison.

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Information from: Journal Star, http://pjstar.com