Josh Jones
QUINCY — The prosecution wanted the maximum prison sentence allowed, and the defense wanted probation. Judge Mark Vincent, admitting he didn’t know what he was going to do before the beginning of Friday afternoon’s sentencing hearing of John Rokusek, decided a little of both was in order. Rokusek, 60, the former owner of a Quincy…
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QUINCY – Judge Robert Adrian will hear arguments regarding a blanket unsealing of all documents pertaining to the first-degree murder case of Tim Bliefnick. But those arguments won’t happen before a Thursday court appearance by Bliefnick that is expected to last for most of the day. Muddy River News, WGEM-TV and The Herald-Whig, represented by…
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QUINCY — Judge Roger Thomson addressed several motions during Wednesday afternoon’s motion hearing in Bradley Yohn’s criminal sexual assault case in Adams County Circuit Court. Two, however, appeared to rise above the others. Yohn eventually dropped his motion to fire Public Defender Todd Nelson and acquire new standby counsel as he continues to defend himself…
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QUINCY — Judge Robert Adrian ruled Wednesday that Tim Bliefnick was indigent after he filled out an affidavit of his assets and liabilities as well as based on the Circuit Court’s freezing of assets contested in the divorce case between Bliefnick and his late estranged wife, Rebecca. Tim Bliefnick faces first-degree murder charges in the…
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QUINCY — An Adams County jury took 16 minutes Tuesday morning to convict Bradley Yohn of one count of possessing contraband in a penal institution. The jury believed Yohn, 36, hid two thumb drives on Nov. 15 in his cell, which was not permitted by the Adams County Jail. Judge Frank McCartney will sentence him…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Adams County State’s Attorney Josh Jones says the case against Bradley Yohn comes down to one simple thing. Following the rules. Jones said in his opening statement Monday afternoon before a jury of seven men and five women in Adams County Circuit Court that Yohn’s failure to follow the rules on Nov. 15…
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QUINCY — Tim Bliefnick remained silent, but attorney Casey Schnack entered a “not guilty” plea for her client in the first-degree murder case of Rebecca Bliefnick before a crowd of about 50 people in Adams County Circuit Court Friday afternoon. Judge Robert Adrian asked, “Not guilty, Miss Schnack?” Schnack replied, “Yes, your honor.” Rebecca Bliefnick,…
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QUINCY — An Adams County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment Thursday morning in the case of Tim Bliefnick, who is charged with two counts of murder in the Feb. 23 shooting death of his estranged wife, Rebecca Bliefnick. The grand jury met for about three hours Thursday and heard evidence on 38…
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QUINCY — A Springfield man defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case said Tuesday afternoon he wanted to defend himself in two other felony cases — and a judge granted his wish. Bradley Yohn, 36, appeared before Judge Tad Brenner in Adams County Circuit Court with his attorney, Public Defender Todd Nelson, for…
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QUINCY — Judge Roger Thomson put the trial for Bradley Yohn, a Springfield man defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case, on the May 8 jury docket — 545 days after Yohn allegedly committed the crime. Yohn, however, told Thomson at the conclusion of Thursday afternoon’s motion hearing in Adams County Circuit Court…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Tim Bliefnick will remain in the Adams County Jail until at least next week when a grand jury will hear the evidence against him to decide if he will be arraigned. Bliefnick, 39, made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon with attorney Casey Schnack in Courtroom 1A before Judge…
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PLEASE READ THIS CAUTIONARY NOTE: Readers should understand this story contains descriptions of sexual abuse. This may offend and shock some readers or be painful to survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Muddy River News believes it is necessary to report this information as a warning and a reminder of what comprises sexual abuse and the importance of protecting children and supporting…
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QUINCY — Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates said the evidence in the case of Rebecca Bliefnick’s death pointed Quincy Police detectives in the direction of her estranged husband after days of conducting the investigation. “We looked at all leads and information from the public, and after following the evidence, this is what led to the…
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QUINCY — Rebecca Bliefnick, 41, of 2528 Kentucky Road, was found dead Thursday afternoon by a family member who went to check on her after she did not arrive at St. Peter School to pick up her children. Quincy Police responded to the call at 3:23 p.m. Thursday. Investigators and a member of the Adams…
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QUINCY — The former owner of a Quincy nightclub accused of assaulting a Quincy University student in April 2021 entered an Alford plea on Tuesday morning to an amended charge of battery. Steven W. Homan, 49, appeared with his attorney, Benedict Song, before Judge Mark Vincent in Adams County Circuit Court. A trial expected to…
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QUINCY — The trial of a former owner of a Quincy nightclub accused of assaulting a Quincy University student in April 2021 has been removed from next week’s jury docket. The trial for Steven W. Homan, 49, was set to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 14 before Judge Mark Vincent. It was expected to last four…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Judge Mark Vincent denied a request for a continuance in the case of the former owner of a Quincy nightclub accused of assaulting a Quincy University student in April 2021. He then set Feb. 14 as the start of what is expected to be a four-day trial. Steven Homan appeared in Adams County…
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QUINCY — A Quincy woman facing four counts of first-degree murder after a 2020 accident killed four people has chosen to have a bench trial, which has been set for May 1-3. Natasha McBride, 39, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning with her attorney, Public Defender Todd Nelson, before Judge Tad Brenner.…
Read Full Article PLEASE READ THIS CAUTIONARY NOTE: Readers should understand this story contains descriptions of sexual abuse. This may offend and shock some readers or be painful to survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Muddy River News believes it is necessary to report this information as a warning and a reminder of what comprises sexual abuse and the importance of protecting children and supporting…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A Springfield man defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case said last month he wanted to defend himself in two other felony cases, then told Judge Robert Adrian on Tuesday morning he was withdrawing his request. Bradley Yohn, 35, also said during his appearance in Adams County Circuit Court he’s waiting…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Adams County State’s Attorney’s office will not file an appeal of last month’s Fourth District Appellate Court’s ruling, which upheld Judge Amy Lannerd’s ruling to dismiss a charge of aggravated driving under the influence by Natasha McBride in an Aug. 14, 2020, crash that killed four people. A status hearing on McBride’s…
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QUINCY — A Quincy man who allegedly recorded more than 200 videos of people in a locker room/restroom area without their permission while they were showering or changing clothes will have another 402 conference on Jan. 26. John Rokusek, 60, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court with his attorney, Denny Woodward, before Judge Mark Vincent.…
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QUINCY — While presenting 20 motions Wednesday during a nearly three-hour hearing in Adams County Circuit Court, a Springfield man defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case said he plans to move for a change of venue. While discussing a request for funds to pay for a polling service, Bradley Yohn, 35, told Judge…
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QUINCY — A Springfield man who is defending himself in a November 2021 sexual assault case decided Tuesday morning he now wants to defend himself in two other felony cases. Bradley Yohn, 35, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court before Judge Tad Brenner for a status hearing in two cases. He was charged Oct. 15 with…
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QUINCY — A Quincy man facing three counts of first-degree murder did not accept a plea deal on Friday, and his hopes of obtaining private counsel before his case goes to a jury next month is in question. Devere Gholston, 27, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon before Judge Debra Wellborn. Gholston…
Read Full Article January 14, 2025
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