Motion to Dismiss Murder Charge Denied in Coles County Case

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Published on February 14 2018 11:04 am
Last Updated on February 14 2018 11:04 am
Written by Greg Sapp

A defense motion to dismiss a felony murder count in a Coles County case was denied Wednesday morning.

26-year-old James T. Shafer of Mattoon is charged with first degree murder as well as felon in possession of a firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Shafer is charged in the shooting death of 23-year-old Ciara Faries in June of 2016. Police had been called to the 300 block of South 21st Street in Mattoon shortly after midnight due to a report of an exchange of gunshots between two groups of people. Faries was taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center where she later died of her injuries.

Shafer's case is due back in Coles County Circuit Court on Friday for a final pre-trial hearing.