Murrays' preliminary hearings lead to new court dates

Preliminary hearings for Ann Marie Murray, 23, and her husband Jerry Leon Murray, 28, of Eldorado, accused of taking $1,800 worth of merchandise from West City-Benton Walmart SuperCenter on Sept. 14 led to new court dates for the defendants on Wednesday.

Ann Murray allegedly drove the get-away vehicle after West City Police Chief Scott Choisser said the Murrays filled two shopping carts and pushed them out the door without paying for the items.

The Benton Police Department were advised to be on the lookout for a Blue Ford Taurus that was spotted moments later passing another vehicle on West Main Street. The officer attempted to pull the car over for improper passing. The officer witnessed the car run through a couple of stop signs before wrecking and rolling over on Petroff Road. Benton Police Chief Mike Andrews said three children were in the car, one young enough to be strapped into a car seat. The children were not injured, however information filed by State's Attorney Evan Owens included three counts of endangering the life or health of a child to the bill of indictment filed by the Franklin County grand jury against Ann Murray.

On Wednesday, Associate Judge Jerry Crisel accepted Ann Murray's signature as she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on behalf of Public Defender Mike Rowland. Rowland also entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client. Crisel said Ann Murray faces one count of retail theft, a class 3 felony; aggravated fleeing or eluding police, a class 4 felony; three counts of endangering the life or health of a child, a class A misdemeanor, and driving while license is suspended, also a class A misdemeanor. Her jury trial has been set for Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m, with a final pre-trial date of Nov. 20 and a pre-trial conference set in late October. Crisel instructed Owens to have discovery to the defendant within 30 days.

Jerry Murray also appeared in Franklin County Circuit Court with his attorney, Public Defender Jason Drew. Murray also waived his preliminary hearing and asked that the matter be set for arraignment as he entered a plea of not guilty to one count of retail theft, a class 3 felony. Murray's jury trial date is also set for Dec. 2. Crisel instructed Assistant State's Attorney Troy Wise III to have discovery to the defendant within 30 days.