Friday, December 3rd:
*Motions Hearing (@ am CT) - IL –
Ariel Wall (1),
Daemeon Wall (2),
Rose Alwood (2),
Jason Wall (34) &
Kathryn Murray (69) (April 6, 2019, Timberline Mobile Home Park, Goodfield) - *Kyle Alwood (9) arrested & charged (10/7/19) with 5 counts of murder, 2 counts of arson & 1 count of aggravated arson. The aggravated arson charge is based on the conclusion that the child knew people were in the home at the time the fire was started. Plead not guilty.
Information & court hearings from 10/21/19 thru 12/23/20 reference post #986 here:
IL - Child, 9, charged in fire deaths of 5 people, Goodfield, 6 Apr 2019
8/24/21 Update: Defense attorney Peter Dluski criticized the police investigation into the incident in a hearing on 8/12/21. Describing the police investigation as “extremely terrible in this case,” defense lawyer Dluski asked Judge Charles Feeney for more time to prepare for a hearing on a defense motion to bar certain evidence from the boy’s trial. According to Dluski, new information about the handling of the case was disclosed on Monday in a deposition of Woodford County sheriff’s deputy Robert Gillson. The lawyer said he wants to look into allegations that the state’s attorney’s office may have overstepped its bounds by appointing a guardian ad litem, a lawyer who would represent the interests of the child. The judge asked Dluski to focus his arguments for a continuance on specific allegations of violations of the child’s constitutional rights. Defense questions about search warrants & how the mobile home was released after the fire meet the standard for constitutional claims, said Feeney, in granting a delay. The defense also is waiting on additional mental health records from authorities. State’s Attorney Greg Minger said the state was ready to move forward with the hearing. If convicted, the boy faces probation & court-ordered counseling. A 9/13/21 hearing is scheduled to review the status of the case.
9/13/21 Update: A half-day hearing is set for 12/3/21 for a 10-year-old boy charged with murder & arson in connection to a 2019 fire that killed five people near Goodfield. December’s hearing, set Monday by Judge Charles Feeney, will argue a defense motion that aims to bar Woodford County State’s Attorney Greg Minger from bringing certain evidence to court. The boy did not appear in Monday’s brief hearing through Zoom, which came about a month after defense lawyer Peter Dluski criticized the police investigation for the case. A court-appointed childhood trauma expert last year found the boy unfit to stand trial. If convicted, the boy could be placed on probation for up to five years, as well as be ordered to complete counseling & therapy.