Extradition process continues for murder suspect

A Cape Girardeau man won't be in Illinois to answer murder charges for at least another month.

Brandon Banks, 28, is suspected of killing Marsha Ann Brown, 40, also of Cape Girardeau, and dumping her body near U.S. 51 in rural Makanda, Ill.

A motorist found Brown's body the morning of Jan. 14 in a ditch on the south side of Potters Road, the Jackson County, Ill., Sheriff's Department reported.

Jackson County State's Attorney Michael Carr said Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has asked Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to issue an order requiring Banks to go back to Illinois to face charges.

"Our governor has requested from the governor of Missouri that he be returned," Carr said. " ... I know that the governor of the state of Illinois has made that request."

Marsha Brown

Before Nixon can sign an order extraditing him, Banks is entitled to a hearing to confirm he is, in fact, the same person wanted in Illinois, Carr said.

Online court records show Banks is in custody in St. Louis County on an unclassified felony charge of being a fugitive from out of state. His bond is set at $1 million.

A hearing in the case had been set for Feb. 18 but was continued to March 19 and then to April 29, online court records show.

Carr said the delays likely occurred while the court was waiting for Quinn's request to reach Nixon and then for Nixon to issue an order requiring Banks to return to Illinois.

"It is a paperwork issue initially, but then the defendant is entitled to a hearing," Carr said.

Banks was arrested Jan. 16 in St. Louis.

Authorities have not released a motive in the case.

Banks' last known address was 716 N. Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau -- the same address where local police helped agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives execute a search warrant the day before his arrest.

Online court records show Banks has several prior offenses, including a 2011 case in which he was placed on probation for unlawful possession of a firearm and a 2007 case in which he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Potters Road and U.S. 51, Makanda, Ill.

716 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.