Suspects in Anna murder appear in court

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Two men appeared in court Tuesday on charges they beat an Anna, Ill., man to death.

Jessie Bell, 34, of Anna and Travis D. Turner, 25, of Dongola, Ill., heard the charges against them Tuesday in Union County, Ill., Circuit Court.

The men are accused of killing James H. Morrison, 46, who was found about 3 a.m. Saturday outside a home in Anna, Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds reported in a news release Monday.

The men appeared separately before Judge Mark Boie, who read their charges and explained the penalties.

In Illinois, first-degree murder ordinarily is punishable by 20 to 60 years in prison. A defendant who is eligible for an extended term could get 60 to 100 years, and if the murder is accompanied by "exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty," the sentence could go up to natural life in prison, Boie said.

Illinois law requires defendants convicted of murder to serve 100 percent of their sentences, he said.

Bell is accused of repeatedly striking Morrison in the head with his fists, while Turner is accused of hitting him in the head with a piece of lumber, according to charges filed in the case.

Bell and Turner are being held on $1 million bond each.

At the time of Morrison's death, both suspects were free on bond after earlier arrests, online court records show.

Turner had been arrested last month on a misdemeanor battery charge but posted $100 and was released.

Meanwhile, Bell was charged in February with domestic battery and resisting arrest but was released after posting $5,000 bond.

He initially had been set for pretrial Tuesday in the domestic battery case.

Boie appointed public defenders for both men.

Patrick Duffy, who already was representing Bell in the domestic battery case, will represent him on the new charge as well.

Jason Kleindorfer, who was representing Turner on the misdemeanor battery charge, will represent him in the murder case.

Boie set the cases for preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. May 6.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Union County Courthouse, Jonesboro, Ill.