Special prosecutor named for attempted child abduction case

~ A Brighton, Ill., man faces charges in alleged kidnapping.

CAIRO, Ill. -- A special prosecutor was appointed Tuesday to handle a kidnapping case out of Alexander County.

State's Attorney Jeffery Farris filed a motion before Judge Mark Clarke to request the appointment of a special prosecutor in the case against defendant Don W. Miller Sr.

Miller, 68, of Brighton, Ill., was charged with felony child abduction for the alleged attempted kidnapping of the 13-year-old daughter of Alexander County commissioner candidate Duane "Street Preacher" Lyon.

The alleged incident occurred during a Labor Day festival held Sept. 4 in Olive Branch, Ill.

Farris' motion for special prosecutor was filed due to a conflict of interest in the case, the prosecutor said in court. Clarke granted Farris' motion and assigned Massac County State's Attorney Patrick Windhorst.

Miller was originally scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, but it was rescheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 2.

The defendant appeared in court Tuesday free after securing a $25,000 bond. A condition of his bond includes having no contact with children younger than 18 years old with the exception of his grandchildren.

Farris did not return calls Tuesday for comment.