Murder Charges Filed Against Beccue in Fayette County

Two counts of first degree murder were filed Monday in Fayette County Circuit Court against St. Elmo resident Alexander Beccue.

The 24-year-old Beccue is charged with the shooting death of Joshua Smith of Ramsey on Friday morning. Smith died of his injuries Friday afternoon.

Fayette County State's Attorney Joshua Morrison amended the charges against Beccue Monday morning to reflect Smith's death. Beccue is also charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Beccue is accused of using a handgun to shoot Smith in the head during an early morning incident in Ramsey. He was taken into custody without incident Friday afternoon when he returned to his residence.

Beccue will remain under $1 million bond. He will be held by the Illinois Department of Corrections and DOC will return him to Vandalia for court hearings.

A preliminary hearing for Beccue was scheduled for August 30. No trial date has been set.