Maquon murder trial delayed again

By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post

GALESBURG – The oft-delayed jury trial of a woman accused of murdering the former Maquon police chief has been delayed again.

Issues regarding admissible evidence and other pretrial matters have resulted in Marcy Oglesby probably standing trial the week of April 21 instead of this month, according to Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Worby. Jury selection is scheduled to begin April 23.

“We are all mindful that unexpected events can throw a wrench in things,” Worby told The Weekly Post. “However, we all feel confident at this time that the matter will proceed to trial in April as planned.”

The most recent tentative time period for Oglesby’s trial was the week of Feb. 16. During a Knox County Circuit Court hearing Jan. 30 at which the 52-year-old Oglesby appeared, all February dates to consider her case were canceled.
Part of this delay appears to center around photographs that depict the body of the victim, Richard Young. He was found dead in October 2022 in a Maquon storage locker. Oglesby was arrested shortly thereafter.

The prosecution must disclose which photos it plans to enter into evidence and publish to the jury, so public defenders representing Oglesby can decide if they believe any are too prejudicial, according to Worby.

“We will try to reach an agreement, and if we do not, the judge will decide at the pretrial motion hearing regarding any in dispute,” she stated.

Judge Andrew Doyle scheduled a motion hearing for April 10 and a final pre-trial hearing for April 16. Deadline for the prosecution to provide photos to the defense is Feb. 12. Deadlines for discovery evidence are Feb. 28 for the prosecution and March 21 for the defense.

Information from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria also has been subpoenaed, according to court records. The nature of that information wasn’t specified.

During a court hearing Jan. 14, Doyle said he did not want to delay Oglesby’s trial beyond February, unless there was no other option. Attorneys for both sides cast doubt that day regarding a February trial, based on availability of forensic witnesses.

In 2023, the state filed a successful appeal of Doyle’s dismissal of murder and aggravated-battery charges against Oglesby, based on speedy-trial concerns. Public defender David Hansen estimated that lengthened by 18 months Oglesby’s case.

Oglesby also has been charged with concealment of a homicidal death. She and another Maquon woman, Karen Doubet, are accused of using eye drops to poison Young’s food and drink. Young, 71, died toward the end of 2021, according to prosecutors.

Doubet’s next scheduled court appearance is March 10. Neither she nor Oglesby is in custody.

In Fulton County, Oglesby has been accused of passing bad checks. A plea hearing is scheduled for March 26 in Lewistown.