Ill. woman charged with solicitation of murder appears in Union Co. court

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A Cobden, Ill., woman charged with solicitation to murder appeared in Union County court Tuesday.

Valorie Spurlock, 42, appeared for arraignment before Circuit Judge Mark M. Boie.

Spurlock was indicted by a Union County grand jury last month for murder solicitation, possession of methamphetamine precursors, child endangerment and participation in methamphetamine production.

Spurlock is out on a $250,000 bond. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and has a March 6 trial date.

Union County State's Attorney Allen W. James said the contract for murder came about through Illinois State Police agents' routine work tracking down drugs and drug information in the county.

On Dec. 18, an agent encountered Spurlock and entered into a transaction involving the sale of pseudoephedrine, an ingredient used to make methamphetamine, James said. From there, Spurlock reportedly offered to make a deal with the agent to kill her ex-husband, Mark Spurlock, who was not harmed.

Spurlock allegedly offered the agent a four-wheel vehicle valued at $5,000 to carry out her orders, to be followed by a cash payment of an unspecified amount afterward, James said.

James said Spurlock allegedly participated in the manufacture of meth by selling pseudoephedrine pills and exposed her 18-month-old daughter and 9-year-old nephew to that environment by allowing them to live in a house where those chemicals were stored.

The children were placed in protective custody with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, he said.

Spurlock's brother, David L. Bennett, 40, also appeared in court Tuesday on charges of methamphetamine-related child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance containing morphine.

Bennett and his son were living with Spurlock, though there is no indication Bennett was involved with Spurlock's alleged murder plans, James said. Bennett pleaded not guilty and has an April 9 jury trial scheduled.

carel@semissourian.com

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