Casey Schnack
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Jessica Fuller, a child welfare specialist for Chaddock Foster and Adoption, testified during the Austin Rodhouse sentencing hearing on Wednesday afternoon in Pike County Circuit Court that she was with Rodhouse’s two sons when they saw their mother on May 24, 2024, for the first time since she had been hospitalized on…
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QUINCY — Pike County Assistant State’s Attorney Leecia Carnes said after an eight-woman, four-man jury found Austin Rodhouse guilty of 19 felony charges in November that she likely would not charge his wife with abuse crimes — but she left it as a possibility. “Having seen what she’s been put through all these years —…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The oldest son of Austin Rodhouse celebrated his fifth birthday less than a week before the trial against his father began at the Pike County Courthouse in Pittsfield. It was the first birthday he spent out of his father’s reach. Next week will be his father’s turn to celebrate a birthday. He…
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Read what each attorney said in the closing arguments of the Austin Rodhouse case. PITTSFIELD — The eight-woman, four-man jury found Austin Rodhouse guilty of all 19 charges late Friday afternoon after more than four hours of deliberations. As each of the 19 domestic violence and sex-related felonies were read aloud by Pike County Circuit…
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PITTSFIELD — “Never try to play a game I created as a kid and expect me to lose as an adult.” Pike County Assistant State’s Attorney Leecia Carnes repeatedly returned to a single text message sent by Austin Rodhouse throughout her closing argument given Friday morning on the ninth and presumably final day of his…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Two more women testified Thursday morning about Austin Rodhouse’s sexual encounters and the physical and emotional abuse heaped upon his wife during the eighth day of his trial in Pike County Circuit Court. In all, eight women who were either allegedly assaulted by Rodhouse or were in the family home in Pleasant…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The state rested, the defense offered no witnesses, closing statements will begin Friday morning and the jury is expected to begin deliberations on Friday afternoon…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The father of Austin Rodhouse’s wife explained the frustration of not being able to help his daughter and grandsons, fearing for their safety as they…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — When Austin Rodhouse’s wife confirmed during testimony Wednesday morning that she performed and recorded an oral sex act with her oldest son while her husband was working in Utah, defense attorney Casey Schnack said, “You knew it was wrong.” “I did it because I was threatened and manipulated,” Rodhouse’s wife replied. That…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — People in the courtroom for each day of the Austin Rodhouse trial knew the video eventually would be played. Judge Charles H.W. Burch warned everybody…
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Messages found on Rodhouses' phones show discussions about sex with son, submissions and punishments
WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — An eight-woman, four-man jury listened Friday afternoon to 3½ hours of text and Snapchat messages discovered on the cellphones of Austin Rodhouse and his wife…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Another woman testified Friday morning during the Austin Rodhouse trial about how he gave her “Austin massages” when she was a child. However, this woman…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — She cried when she walked past her son when she entered a courtroom in the Pike County Courthouse on Friday morning. She cried again as…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Much of the first two days of testimony in the Austin Rodhouse trial in Pike County Circuit Court has centered around his wife and their…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Five more people testified on behalf of the state on Wednesday during the third day of the Austin Rodhouse trial in Pike County Circuit Court,…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Some simply couldn’t watch, while others looked at the ground. Some took deep breaths, and others held their breath. Several members of the eight-woman, four-man…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Jordan Gerard, a former trooper with the Illinois State Police, remembered the look on the face of Austin Rodhouse’s wife when he first spoke with…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — “Make yourself a bowl of dog food. You’ll eat it on the floor like an obedient bitch.” Assistant State’s Attorney Leecia Carnes didn’t mess around…
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QUINCY — The third and final brief in the appeal case for convicted murderer Tim Bliefnick was filed Thursday, July 25 in the Office of State Appellate Defender, Fourth District. The 19-page brief was filed by Catherine Hart, deputy defender with the Office of the State Appellate Defender, Fourth District, and James H. Waller, assistant…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The appellate attorneys for the people of the state of Illinois in the appeal case for convicted murderer Tim Bliefnick have filed a response brief in the Office of State Appellate Defender, Fourth District, arguing that a new trial is unnecessary. The 36-page brief was prepared by Allison Paige Brooks, assistant appellate prosecutor…
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QUINCY — Seven candidates for a judge vacancy in the Eighth Judicial Circuit recently were rated in an advisory poll of lawyers conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association. Ballots were sent to all ISBA members who practice or reside in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The advisory poll was conducted by mail and electronically. Licensed Illinois…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The appellate defenders for convicted murderer Tim Bliefnick have filed a brief in the Office of State Appellate Defender, Fourth District, arguing many mistakes were made in Bliefnick’s May 2023 trial while asking for a new trial. The 50-page brief was prepared by Catherine Hart, deputy defender with the Office of the State…
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QUINCY — Justice Lisa Holder White of the Supreme Court of Illinois has announced the formation of a seven-member judicial screening committee for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The screening committee, announced in a press release late Friday afternoon, was formed to assess the qualifications of eight people who have applied for appointment to the office…
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QUINCY — Robbery charges for a Quincy man and a Quincy woman in connection to the October shooting death of a teenage girl were dropped Friday afternoon as they accepted the terms of a negotiated plea that should allow both of them to be free by July. Fallon M. Gillum, 21, and Tristian L. Johnson,…
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QUINCY — A man and a woman facing robbery charges in connection to the October shooting death of a teenage girl were arraigned Wednesday morning and pled not guilty. Tristian L. Johnson, 23, of Quincy and Fallon M. Gillum, 20, of Quincy were in Adams County Circuit Court before Judge Robert Adrian. They appeared for…
Read Full Article February 15, 2025
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