Defendant in Illinois child murder case will submit hair sample

JONESBORO, Ill. -- The Ware, Ill., woman accused of killing her boyfriend's son will submit a hair sample to be examined by experts.

Sacha Brown, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and concealment of a homicidal death in connection with the Dec. 11 death of 4-year-old Justin Hepburn. She pleaded not guilty Jan. 11.

During a hearing Wednesday, her attorney, Larry Karaker, told Judge William Thurston that he does not have any objections to Brown submitting a hair sample to be examined by a forensic pathologist. Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds had requested the hair sample last week.

In addition to complying with the request, Karaker said at the hearing that he was able to retain a forensic pathologist of his own, Dr. George Nichols. Karaker had said last week that he was having trouble finding one.

Nichols is based in Louisville, Ky., and has served as Kentucky's chief medical examiner.

Brown will be back in court Feb. 15 for another pretrial hearing.

Pertinent address:

Jonesboro, IL

Ware, IL