Williams trial bumped to Jan. 23, Shawgo posts bond
<p dir="ltr"><span>During a brief appearance at the Randolph County Courthouse on Monday, all parties involved with the London Williams case announced they are ready for trial next month.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Williams, 26, of Rockwood, is charged with first-degree murder in alleged connection to the June 22 stabbing death of Timothy J. "T.J." Michael, of Chester.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>His trial had a tentative start date of Jan. 9, but Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker asked for another meeting to discuss any pretrial motions in the case. That meeting was scheduled for Jan. 5 at 10 a.m.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>During media availability after the meeting, Walker said no motions have been filed thus far.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Walker stated that jury selection will begin the morning of Jan. 23, with trial proceedings to likely to start that afternoon.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In other news, Walker stated that Beau A. Shawgo, who is also charged with first-degree murder in a separate case, had been released from Randolph County Jail after his $25,000 cash bond was posted on Nov. 28.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Shawgo's bond amount was $250,000, with 10 percent needed for release.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"That's a big bond," Walker said, later adding that he had asked for a $1 million bond for Shawgo. "Certainly in my time as a prosecutor, I can't recall anyone posting bond to that amount."</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Shawgo is alleged to have struck 55-year-old Jeffrey "J.R." Welty, of Percy, in the face with his fist during a bar fight at Hide-Away Tavern in Percy on Oct. 24.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Welty was taken to Sparta Community Hospital after the incident and later transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where he later died from injuries sustained in the altercation.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>According to court documents, Rick Shawgo, of Sparta, is listed as the person who supplied the bond money - which was transferred to Shawgo's attorney, C.J. Baricevic, for payment of the bond.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Shawgo is due back in Randolph County court for a case management hearing on Dec. 30 at 10 a.m.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>"In a case like that, certainly we are concerned with a flight risk," Walker said.</span>
<p dir="ltr"><span>First-degree murder is a Class X felony that carries a punishment range of 20 to 60 years in prison, a maximum fine of $25,000 and three years of supervised release.</span>