Murder defendant to appear in court: Judge will decide whether to toss Adams’ indictment
DIXON – Dixon murder defendant Byron Adams will appear in court Thursday on a motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment filed last month in Lee County Court.
Adams, 51, is indicted on three counts of first-degree murder for allegedly suffocating Margaret Atherton, 35, in her Dixon home on Sept. 11.
He also is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and criminal trespass to a vehicle in an unrelated case.
He is being held on $3 million bond.
Adams’ attorney, Paul Whitcombe, filed a motion in late October asking that the case be thrown out because the indictment failed to clearly state the offense with which Adams is charged.
Last week, prosecutors filed an amended bill of indictment that clearly states he is charged with first-degree murder.
Lee County Judge Ron Jacobson will rule on the motion Thursday.
