Maquon murder trial likely in February

By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post

GALESBURG – A jury trial is likely in February for a woman implicated in the apparent murder of the former Maquon police chief.

Meanwhile, another woman accused of murdering former Chief Richard Young has pleaded not guilty.
Both women – Karen Doubet and Marcy Oglesby – appeared Tuesday morning in Knox County Circuit Court. Oglesby, 52, was arrested in October 2022 after Young’s decomposing body was found in a box inside a Maquon storage locker. Doubet, 78, was arrested about two months ago.

Doubet made her not-guilty plea in front of Judge Andrew Doyle about 10 minutes before Oglesby’s case was heard. Each court appearance lasted only a few minutes. Under court order, the women are not to contact each other. Doubet sat outside the second-story courtroom as Oglesby sat inside.

Wearing a maroon pullover emblazoned with a drawing of a cat and the words “Fluff You You Fluffin’ Fluff,” Oglesby did not address the court. She is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 14, a motions hearing Jan. 30 and a pretrial hearing Feb. 3, all at 9 a.m.

Oglesby’s trial probably will begin Feb. 17, her co-counsel, public defender Christopher Kanthak, said following the hearing Tuesday. Public defender David Hansen also is representing Oglesby.

In court, Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Worby said her office has begun to ask expert witnesses to block time for the hearings and the trial.

“This case has some age on it … but we’re looking to wrap it up in February,” Doyle said.

Charges against Doubet and Oglesby are similar. Among them are first-degree murder, aggravated battery and concealment of a homicidal death. In addition, Oglesby is accused of gun and forgery crimes.

Doubet is to appear again in court at 9 a.m. March 10. Public defender Christopher Coburn was beside Doubet in the courtroom, which she entered while walking with a cane. All she said in court was “OK,” in response to Doyle.

“It would be a good idea to talk with your attorney sometime in February so you’re both on the same page at that point,” the judge said.

Doubet and Oglesby are accused of using eye drops to poison Young between June and October 2021. The medication apparently was placed in Young’s food and drink. The 71-year-old Young died toward the end of 2021, according to prosecutors. He resided with Doubet and Oglesby in Maquon.

The women are accused of hiding Young’s remains in the storage unit for about a year, until neighbors complained about an odor. Neither suspect is in police custody.

In March 2023, Doyle dismissed the murder and aggravated-battery charges against Oglesby, because of speedy-trial concerns. But a state appellate court reinstated the charges, and early this year the Illinois Supreme Court declined to intervene.

Oglesby also is to appear Jan. 29 for a plea hearing in Fulton County Circuit Court in Lewistown regarding a separate case. She is accused of passing bad checks.