TAYLORVILLE — This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to a series of criminal damages that occurred in Taylorville. Wednesday, April 1, 2020
In a negotiated settlement of seven felony cases in 2019, James R. Coghlan, 35, of Taylorville, was sentenced to 16 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) following a hearing before Fourth Judicial Court Judge Christopher Matoush on Thursday. He pled guilty in five cases. Fines, fees and restitution in all of the cases total $60,600.
Coghlan will serve three consecutive sentences in three of the cases with two other cases concurrent. Two of the cases were dropped. Total jail time is 22 years for all five cases. Friday, March 27, 2020
Although the Christian County Courthouse is closed to the public through Apr. 7, 2020, Christian County Circuit Clerk Julie Mayer and her staff are working on a reduced schedule of employees.
Currently, the Court is only hearing these types of cases at the present time: in-custody criminal matters via video conference; Juvenile Detention hearings; Juvenile Shelter Care Hearings; All Orders of Protection and emergency requests; and Any other emergency or other hearing approved by a Judge. Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Published court appearances reflect the daily 10:00 a.m. criminal call and do not necessarily account for all felony proceedings heard that day. Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Christopher Matoush presided over the following cases on Mar. 19, 2020: Thursday, March 19, 2020
Christian County Elected Officials and Offices have met to coordinate Public Service Efforts regarding COVID-19. The Christian County Courthouse, Regional Office of Education, Highway Department, Treasurer, County Clerk/Recorder, Tax Assessor, County Coroner, Public Defender, County Chairperson, Circuit Clerk, State’s Attorney, Probation, Solid Waste,Zoning/Animal Control all located in Taylorville, Illinois will be closed to the public. Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the Fourth Judicial Circuit is amending its procedures in an attempt to reduce the possibility of spreading the disease. Monday, March 16, 2020
Last week, two felons were sentenced to a total of 32 years in unrelated cases Christian County Court. One was a Class X felony and the other was eligible for Class X sentencing.
On Feb. 25, Ronald E. Nigh, Jr., 42, of Taylorville, was sentenced by Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Christopher Matoush to 17 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Nigh had been found guilty in Count I, aggravated domestic battery/strangle, for choking his wife during a jury trial in Christian County Court in January. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in Count II, aggravated domestic battery. Thursday, March 5, 2020
Illinois Sheriffs are raising alarms that a recent policy change by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) allows potentially dangerous felons to be released back into Illinois communities.
Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp says that 17 such felons have been released into Christian County as a result of the law. “These individuals are undocumented immigrants who have completed their time in prison and are being released into the communities they were being held in. Previously upon release, they would still have to undergo a court hearing in regard to their immigration status, but they are not required to do that under the new law,” he said. “This law is giving convicted felons a head start on evading federal immigration laws.” Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Published court appearances reflect the daily 10:00 a.m. criminal call and do not necessarily account for all felony proceedings heard that day. Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Christopher Matoush presided over the following cases on Feb. 21, 2020: Friday, February 21, 2020
A Riverton, Ill. police officer has been indicted by a Sangamon County Grand Jury in connection with a involving a former Taylorville man. Jacob B. Melton, 36, of Mechanicsburg, formerly of Taylorville, is the alleged victim. Thursday, February 20, 2020
Federal trial for Todd M. England, 46, of Taylorville, has now been delayed until April, following a motion granted by the court which was filed on behalf of the defendant Feb. 12, 2020. England was indicted on a two-count information in Federal court in October, 2019, charged with two counts of possession of child pornography. Monday, February 17, 2020
Published court appearances reflect the daily 10:00 a.m. criminal call a do not necessarily account for all felony proceedings heard that day. Christian County Resident Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Brad Paisley presided over the following cases on Feb. 7, 2020: Friday, February 7, 2020
On January 29, 2020, 911 received a call of a female unresponsive and not breathing in a residence in Pana. Authorities arrived on scene and notified dispatch that the female was deceased.
Coroner Winans has identified the female as 52 year old Lisa Cantrell of Pana. Toxicology was drawn and results are pending at this time. Monday, February 3, 2020
Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp confirmed late Friday afternoon that an accident was, in fact, responsible for the severe hand trauma suffered by a Tovey man that drove himself to Taylorville Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon after he had lost most of his left hand and several fingers on his right hand.
The identify of the man was not disclosed as law enforcement has now officially labeled this an accident. Kettelkamp dispelled some rumors that were circulating that the incident may have been tied to a shooting, and he confirmed that the injuries were sustained after the man lit a large firework that went off in his hand. Saturday, February 1, 2020
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office and the Taylorville Police Department have reported that a Tovey man, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, drove himself to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with severe trauma to both hands at approximately 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler says most of the left hand was missing and that several fingers from the right hand were also missing. Friday, January 31, 2020
Preston J. Newingham, 20, of Kincaid, is facing a charge of attempted murder, following a hit and run accident which happened about 7:28 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. He is accused of intentionally striking a pedestrian at the intersection of Adams and Clay Sts. in Taylorville. Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Probable cause was found against a 21-year-old Taylorville woman charged in the stabbing death of Jason R. Bright, 40, of Taylorville, on New Year’s Eve day. Michaela L. Herpstreith, Taylorville, is being held in Christian County Jail on $1 million bond on two counts of first degree murder. Tuesday, January 28, 2020
On Monday, January 27, 2020 at approximately 7:28 p.m., officers from the Taylorville Police Department responded to a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Adams and Clay Street. Upon arrival the vehicle fled the scene. The vehicle was located a few minutes later with extensive damage. The vehicle was unoccupied. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital in critical condition and his condition has been upgraded to stable. Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Published court appearances reflect the daily 10:00 a.m. criminal call a do not necessarily account for all felony proceedings heard that day. Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Christopher Matoush presided over the following cases on Jan. 24, 2020: Friday, January 24, 2020
For the second time this year, a Federal trial for Todd M. England, 46, of Taylorville, has been delayed. He is charged with possession of child pornography. Monday, January 20, 2020
TAYLORVILLE — Members of the Community Action Team (CAT) conducted a narcotic search warrant at 717 W. Poplar Street, Taylorville. Saturday, January 11, 2020
A 42-year-old Taylorville man was found guilty of one count of aggravated domestic battery Tuesday evening, following a two-day long trial in Christian County Circuit Court. Ronald E. Nigh was found guilty of aggravated domestic battery/strangle, in that during the battery of his wife, Marshalle Nigh, he strangled the victim. On a second charge of aggravated domestic battery, he was found not guilty. Wednesday, January 8, 2020
