March 29 pre-trial and May 6 trial in 2012 Elkville toddler's death

The 2013 circuit court calendar in Jackson County is moving closer to the 1 p.m. March 29 pre-trial hearing and 9:30 a.m. May 6 trial of an Elkville man charged in the April 20, 2012 death of a toddler at his girlfriend's home.

Circuit Judge Charles Grace set the two dates last week.

Jarrod Rudder is allegedly responsible for the death of Michael Pulliam whom police say was slammed against a wall. The toddler later died in Children's Hospital in St. Louis

Rudder, then 24, was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly grabbing the child by the arm and swinging him into a wall and lamp. He has remained in the Jackson County Jail without bond.

In the meantime, the state's attorney has changed in Jackson County. It was Mike Wepsiec. It is now seasoned attorney and 29-year assistant federal prosecutor Michael Carr following the 2012 elections. Carr told the Du Quoin Evening Call Monday he is determined to move hundreds of Jackson County cases forward--particularly those more than four years old.

First degree murder in Illinois is punishable by a term of imprisonment between 20 years and 60 years, Because of the age of the child in this particular case, Rudder is eligible for an extended term of 60 to 100 years.

Shortly before midnight on that Friday, paramedics found 2-year-old Michael Pulliam unconscious and unresponsive at his residence in nearby Elkville.

The child was taken to a hospital in nearby Carbondale and then flown to St. Louis Children's Hospital for more extensive treatment and remained in critical condition until Sunday, when he died as a result of his injuries. An autopsy indicated the toddler's brain had been bleeding and he had several fractures and multiple contusions.

The boy's mother was working at the time of the incident and had left the boy in Rudder's care. The two had been living together.

Paragraph 3.6 of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Professional Conduct prohibits the state's attorney's office from discussing the case.