Man charged with murder in death of Illinois officer
CHESTER, Ill. (AP) — A Chester man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a local police officer last month.
Jason M. Stoker, 34, was charged in the death of Chester police officer James Brockmeyer, who died from injuries he suffered in a crash after he was pursuing Stoker on Oct. 28, the Belleville News-Democrat reported.
Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker wrote that Stoker drove his vehicle at a high speed while failing to comply with Brockmeyer and while knowing such acts could cause Brockmeyer death or bodily harm.
Walker has also petitioned to increase Stoker's bail from $250,000. He said, in court documents, that Stoker failed to turn himself in following the crash.
After being found in the St. Louis area, Stoker was arrested on Nov. 1 and has since been extradited to Illinois.
Walker also charged Stoker with three other felonies, including two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and reckless homicide.
If convicted of the murder charge, Stoker faces a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison.
Stoker was being held Thursday in the Randolph County Jail. He is scheduled for a court hearing Monday.
It wasn't immediately clear if Stoker has an attorney to speak on his behalf.
A funeral for Brockmeyer was held on Nov. 3. It included a procession of more than 20 miles in and around Chester.
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Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com