Pendergast Hires Attorney; Trial is Delayed

There will be a delay in the case of Effingham resident Robert Pendergast due to a change in defense counsel.

Local attorney Scott Ealy has been hired to represent Pendergast, so the Public Defender's office has been released from the case.

The 57-year-old Pendergast is being held on a count of aggravated battery. He is accused of placing a chokehold on 53-year-old Corey Stice of Effingham during an incident at an Effingham residence in May. Stice later died.

Pendergast's case will now next be in court on December 28 for a pre-trial hearing. He is now slated to go on trial on January 8, 2018. Pendergast is being held under $100,000 bond.