BY APRIL TOLER
april.toler@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — The jury trial for a man and woman accused of robbing two local convenience stores within days of each other is still expected to take place in April.
Brandon Poracky, 22, and Savannah Abbott, 19, both of Rolling Meadows Estates, face armed robbery charges after their arrest Dec. 28 for allegedly robbing the Casey’s General Store on South 42nd Street.
After allegedly trying to elude police in a car chase, Poracky and Abbott — who were accompanied by three young children — were arrested after crashing near a westside motel here.
Charges in the case involve both robberies.
Poracky, in court Wednesday with his attorney, Public Defender Bob Verhines, faces two counts of armed robbery — class X felonies — for his alleged involvement in the robberies of both the 42nd Street and Salem Road Casey’s stores.
He is also charged with two counts of aggravated battery — a class 3 felony — in connection with the stabbing of the clerk at the Salem Road store.
On Jan. 24, Poracky pleaded not guilty to his charges. Two days later, Verhines filed a motion asking the court to try counts one and two separately from counts three and four.
In the motion, Verhines claims that since the charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery allege “separate and distinct offenses,” and since the alleged offenses occurred at different times, it would be prejudicial for Poracky to have one trial on all counts, depriving him of his constitutional rights.
That motion has not yet been heard in court.
Poracky is being held at the Jefferson County jail on $250,000 bond. A motion to have that bond reduced is still pending.
Abbott, who was allegedly driving the getaway vehicle prior to her arrest, is charged with two counts of armed robbery; aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police, a class 4 felony; and two counts of aggravated battery.
She also pleaded not guilty Jan. 24 to all charges. Public Defender Jim Henson is her attorney.
Jury selection in both trials is scheduled to begin April 11.
News
February 9, 2006
Two face trial in robberies
- News
-
- City gets $500,000 grant for truck route MT. VERNON — The City has received a $500,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation to construct a truck route to provide access to the Continental Tire North America plant.
-
TIF getting closer
By TESA CULLI
tesa.culli@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — Property owners within a proposed downtown tax increment finance district will be receiving letters in the mail later in the next two days of the city’s intention to approve a plan to implement the district. -
Learn to lead
By TESA CULLI
tesa.culli@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Development Corporation is bringing back the Leadership Series training. -
Need a New Year's Resolution? Give blood
MT. VERNON — If you are in need of a New Year’s resolution which will help others, Garry Allison has an idea.
Give blood. -
Grandson carries on family's military tradition
By KANDACE MCCOY
kandace.mccoy@register-news.com
MT. VERNON - In 1961, Richard Rybacki was drafted to serve his country and was assigned to Fort Benning, Ga., for his basic training. - Lay, Skilling convicted in Enron collapse
-
Granberg: Let's just make sure
By MARY KAYE DAVIS
mary.kaye@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — “Not wanting to take anything for granted,” State Rep. Kurt Granberg is meeting with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency representatives next week to make sure a permit the local Continental Tire North America has applied for is granted. -
More than 400 women seek health info
By APRIL TOLER
april.toler@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — Approximately 400 women made their way to the Holiday Inn Tuesday evening to educate themselves about living a healthy lifestyle and about businesses in the area that support women’s health. -
Disturbances lead to two arrests
By MARY KAYE DAVIS
mary.kaye@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — A 56-year-old man and a teen-ager were arrested in separate incidents Thursday after allegedly causing disturbances. -
Hamilton County voters say 'no' to public safety tax
By PAUL LORENZ
paul.lorenz@register-news.com
McLEANSBORO — Hamilton County voters said a decisive “no” to a public safety tax referendum Tuesday. - More News Headlines
