DIXON – A Lee County judge this morning denied the defense attorney's request to acquit Byron Adams of first-degree murder in the suffocation of Margaret Atherton on Sept. 11, 2009.

David Mandrgoc sought a directed verdict – a ruling from the bench before a case is over – after Lee County Assistant State's Attorney Peter Buh rested his case.

Mandrgoc argued that prosecutors had no evidence, other than Adams' "alleged" confession, that linked Adams to Atherton's home at 805 W. First St. That's where police found her body in an upstairs bedroom. Two rolled up socks were in her mouth, a pillowcase was over her head, and her hands were bound with a black necktie, according to trial testimony.