Marschke Assigned Legal Counsel

The Vandalia man charged in Effingham County Circuit Court with drug induced homicide has asked for a court-appointed attorney.

32-year-old Richard Marschke is charged with supplying the heroin taken by Jordan Kull of Altamont that led to his death in January.

Judge Kimberly Koester appointed Conflicts Public Defender Richard Runde to represent Marschke, who indicated he had no money to hire his own attorney. Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler told Judge Koester that Public Defender Scott Schmidt represents defendants in other drug cases that would prove to be a conflict in representing Marschke.

Marschke is due back in court Tuesday morning for a first appearance with his counsel. A preliminary hearing will then be scheduled to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to hold him over for trial.   

Marschke was arrested Wednesday following a multi-agency investigation into Kull's death. He faces prison time if found guilty of the drug induced homicide charge.

Marschke is being held in Effingham County Jail under $1 million bond.