Grand jury back in business, hands down indictments
Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com
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EDWARDSVILLE After a year’s absence, a new Madison County Grand Jury was empaneled this week and quickly went to work, handing down several indictments Thursday.
The new grand jury was part of the expansion of in-person hearings and other court activities, which have been severely limited by the coronavirus pandemic.
The last grand jury in Madison County started work in January 2020, according to Circuit Judge Kyle Napp.
“We picked and empaneled this grand jury on Wednesday and Thursday of this week,” she said. “Their session runs from March 4 through June 24.”
2 suspects charged in William Estates gunfire incident
Charles Bolinger, charles.bolinger@edwpub.net
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EDWARDSVILLE Two suspects face charges after a reported gunfire incident in an Edwardsville apartment complex.
Erick R. Matthews, Jr., 24, of Alton, was charged with two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm, both Class 4 felonies. The charges were presented by the Edwardsville Police Department and filed Monday by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office.
According to court documents, on Feb. 28, Matthews allegedly fired a gun in the direction of another person while in the “densely populated” Williams Estates apartment complex, in the 100 block of Club Centre Court. Bail was set at $30,000.
Father, son charged after Bethalto incident
Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com
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EDWARDSVILLE A father and son both face felony charges after an incident in Bethalto on Feb. 27.
Jerome L. Graves, 51, of Wood River, was charged March 1 with aggravated driving while under the influence, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated driving under the influence while license revoked/suspended and driving while license revoked, both Class 4 felonies.
Jerome E. Graves, 27, of Hartford, was charged March 1 with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 2 felony.
Both cases were presented by the Bethalto Police Department.
According to court documents, on Feb. 27 the elder Graves allegedly was driving a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country while under the influence of alcohol, while having a revoked license for DUI. It was noted that he had a previous conviction for driving while license revoked.
Homeless man charged with damaging amphitheater
Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com
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EDWARDSVILLE A homeless man faces felony charges after allegedly causing more than $10,000 damage to the electrical breaker boxes at the Liberty Bank Amphitheater in Alton.
Steven J. Jackson, 44, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged March 1 with criminal damage to state supported property over $10,000, a Class 2 felony.
The case was presented by the Alton Police Department.
According to court documents, on Feb. 23 Jackson did more than $10,000 damage to the electrical breaker boxes at the Liberty Bank Amphitheater.
Bail was set at $50,000.
Other felony cases filed March 1 by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office include:
Alton man faces drug, weapon charge
Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com
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EDWARDSVILLE An Alton man accused of drug and weapon violations was among felony related charges filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office Tuesday.
Andrew L. Mitchell Sr., 55, was charged March 2 with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, both Class 4 felonies; and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony.
The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department.
According to court documents, on March 1 Mitchell was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams each of cocaine and Hydrocodone; and also had a loaded 9 mm handgun magazine and several loose rounds of 9 mm ammunition. It was noted that Mitchell has a 2013 felony conviction possession of a controlled substance out of Madison County, making it illegal for him to own firearms or ammunition.