BENTON –  William P. McKinney, the former Buckner police officer facing charges in the death of Roy D. Barnhart, has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.  Barnhart was also a Buckner resident.

During a court appearance on Wednesday, the 60-yer-old McKinney was also appointed a new attorney — his third attorney since the charges were filed six weeks ago — after newly-appointed attorney David Garavalia withdrew due to a conflict of interest.  Garavalia was appointed only last week to replace Eric Dirnbeck who also cited a conflict in representing McKinney.  Veteran Benton attorney Brian Drew was appointed by Judge Paul Lamar to represent McKinney.

The incident that led to McKinney’s arrest took place on July 7 when the former Buckner officer responded, along with other law enforcement officers, to a report of a fight in progress.  Barnhart and McKinney engaged in a heated argument before Barnhart was placed under arrest.  Several witnesses told authorities that McKinney continued to beat Barnhart after he was handcuffed and on the ground.  Barnhart died four days later in a St. Louis hospital. McKinney is charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a senior citizen and official misconduct in connection with the death of Barnhart.

A jury trial was set for Nov. 5.  McKinney remains in custody at Franklin County Jail.

ST. LOUIS — Coal producer Peabody Energy Corp. remains obligated to continue health-care benefits for some 3,100 retirees of one of the company’s former holdings, an appeals court ruled Wednesday in reversing a bankruptcy judge’s absolving Peabody of that tab.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

Franklin County authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal single-vehicle accident Tuesday evening south of Benton.

Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler identified the victim as 50-year-old Philip Adams, of Benton.  The accident occurred on South Hill City Road, one-fourth mile south of Forest Baptist Church Road.

According to Leffler, a passerby saw a vehicle in a corn field and stopped to investigate and found the body of Adams inside.  A 911 call was placed to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 6:01 p.m. and deputes, Illinois State Police and personnel from Abbott’s Ambulance responded to the accident scene.  Leffler was notified at 6:10 p.m. about the fatal accident.

Leffler said no foul play is suspected and said alcohol is “a suspected factor in the fatal accident.”

Leffler said an autopsy is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Franklin Hospital in Benton.

By Jim Muir

An investigation is continuing into a fatal single-vehicle car accident early Saturday morning that claimed the life of a 23-year-old Valier man.

Ronnie Jay Stroud was killed in the accident that took place on Illinois Route 148 north of Sesser and just north of the Franklin-Jefferson county line.  Stroud was the sole occupant of car, according to Illinois State Police.

In piecing together the details of the accident authorities believe the wreck took place at approximately 4 a.m. but was not discovered until 10 a.m. when an alert state trooper saw the skid marks on the highway and investigated and found Stroud’s vehicle down a large embankment.  Authorities believe the vehicle ran off the road at a high rate of speed, went airborne and hit a tree.  State police are investigating the accident and are waiting on toxicology reports.

Funeral services for Stroud have been set for Friday, August 23 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  A complete obituary for Stroud can be found at franklincounty-news.com.