Bond set at $1 million for man charged with killing neighbor

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. -- Bond has been set at $1 million for a 74-year-old man charged in the killing of his 85-year-old brother-in-law.

Kenneth Fry is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of Lester Derry, Jefferson County State's Attorney Gary Duncan said.

Fry is being held in the Jefferson County Jail.

Derry, who also was Fry's neighbor, was found dead Monday in a field near his home.

Duncan said it appears a Chevy pickup was the weapon.

Neighbor Norma Mayabb said Derry was a wonderful person.

"A real peach of a person," she said.

Derry's family and friends gathered at his house Tuesday.

One of his sons, Bill Derry, said there had been tension between his father and Fry.

"We've lost our father," Derry said. "Many people lost a great friend."

The offices of the Jefferson County sheriff, state's attorney and coroner, along with the Illinois State Police, are investigating.

Fry has a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 28.