Suspects in Illinois murder appear in court

Two suspects in an Illinois murder had individual court appearances Tuesday.

Travis Turner, 26, of Dongola, Illinois, and Jessie Bell, 35, of Anna, Illinois, appeared in Union County Court for pretrial hearings.

Bell has one pretrial hearing remaining later this week before his jury trial begins Monday.

Turner's jury trial, which had been scheduled for June 22, was moved to Aug. 24 after Turner and his public defender, J. Jeremy Lloyd, requested more time. A June date was set for another pretrial hearing to allow time for the defense to obtain a transcript of Bell's trial.

Lloyd also withdrew a motion to suppress that had been filed without his knowledge by Turner.

Bell will make another appearance Friday, when Lloyd and Patrick Duffy, Bell's attorney, will address a motion filed by Lloyd for Fifth Amendment privileges ahead of Bell's trial.

Turner and Bell are charged with first-degree murder in the April 2014 beating death of James H. "Jimmy" Morrison, 46, of Anna. Bell allegedly struck Morrison in the head with his fists, and Turner allegedly hit him in the head with a piece of lumber.

Morrison was found early April 12 outside a house on Douglas Street in Anna and later pronounced dead at Union County Hospital.

If Bell and Turner are found guilty, they face a penalty of 20 years to natural life in prison. Illinois law requires those convicted of murder to serve 100 percent of their sentences.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Anna, Illinois

Dongola, Illinois