Charges dropped in Ferguson case
<span>In a Tuesday news release, Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker announced charges had been dropped in the burglary/home invasion case involving Chadrick B. Ferguson, Patrick Bowen and Marcus Delre.</span>
<span>Ferguson was charged with one count of home invasion regarding an incident occurring in rural Randolph County on September 10, 2014, while Bowen and Delre were both charged with residential burglary under the theory of accomplice liability regarding the same incident. </span>
<span>"Our case regarding Mr. Ferguson centered on two individuals indicating they aided and assisted Mr. Ferguson in committing the home invasion on September 10, wherein some currency was stolen from a person's home, with the victim present and at a time when Mr. Ferguson was allegedly possessing a firearm," Walker said in the release. "A very serious allegation and one my office and the Sheriff's Department investigated thoroughly and take very seriously."</span>
<span>"During the course of the prosecution, the two persons whom implicated Mr. Ferguson recanted their statements and indicated Mr. Ferguson did not commit the offense," Walker added. "To complicate matters further, these same individuals began to indicate they did not have anything to do with the crime either."</span>
<span>Walker said surveillance video, obtained by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office from a business in Steeleville, verified the suspects' statements.</span>
<span>"It simply was not possible for Mr. Delre or Mr. Bowen to be at the location of the crime, when they said they were, based on the time-stamped video surveillance we received and viewed," Walker said. "Due to this information, it is apparent, at this time, we cannot convict any of the three individuals charged with the crimes alleged.</span>
<span>"Furthermore, Mr. Ferguson provided the investigator in this matter with an alibi witness several months after the arrest and commencement of prosecution, which he did not disclose when initially interviewed by investigators."</span>
<span>Walker said Ferguson's alibi checked out.</span>
<span>"We are obviously disappointed with the fact we have an unsolved crime of this magnitude, but we also never want to see the wrong people convicted," he said. "The duty of a prosecutor is to seek justice, not simply seek convictions. Justice in this case requires charges to be dismissed against these three."</span>
<span>Walker also further explained the reasoning of the decision.</span>
<span>"In this case, the system worked; It just did not work the way people usually see," he said. "People are presumed innocent and we treat them accordingly.</span>
<span>"If we receive information they were not involved, we investigate that claim just as vigorously as when looking at their involvement. I do not want to get into any more specifics than mentioned above as I do not want to jeopardize future prosecution against anyone involved."</span>
<span>Walker said he and investigators met with the victim and discussed not only investigators' intentions regarding the suspects, but future steps in the case.</span>
<span>"Again, this is still considered an open investigation and encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Randolph County Sheriff's Office at 826-5484." Walker said.</span>