Several now held in murder of 15-year-old Pinckneyville girl
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Perry County authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with last week's murder of 15-year-old Pinckneyville runaway Sidnee Stephens.
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James Glazier, 17, of Pinckneyville and an unnamed 15-year-old juvenile were arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Perry County Sheriff's Department. All are charged with first-degree murder.
These follow the initial arrest of Carl Dane, 18, of Pinckneyville late Tuesday in the middle of an interview with Dane in the sheriff's office.
Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman said more arrests are expected as the murder is now apparently being linked to a juvenile gang called the Pinckneyville Spirits.
Kellerman commented that murder of the Pinckneyville runaway, whose body was thrown into the Beaucoup Creek and discovered last Sunday by a fisherman, has now wasted other lives, if all are convicted.
As the arrest count grows, the case could easily exhaust all of Perry County's law enforcement, prosecution and judicial financial resources.
Transport of the arrested juvenile to the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in Benton will start costing the county between $80 and $100 per day for special housing.
"This case could go on for five, six or seven months - possibly a year," said Kellerman.
He said he will comment on the possibility of a link to the juvenile Pinckneville Spirits gang in the coming days, collectively calling the growing case a tragedy of wasted lives.
And, in a place like Menard Correctional Center - if any or all are convicted - such a gang has absolutely no standing among hard-core criminals.
Dane was arrested and incarcerated in the Perry County Jail on one count of first-degree murder. Other charges against Dane will be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
On Thursday afternoon, Perry County authorities arrested Glazier on one charge of first-degree murder. Glazier was incarcerated in the Perry County Jail and more charges will be forthcoming.
The third arrest of the juvenile came late in the afternoon. He is being charged with first-degree murder, as well.
Dane's car has been impounded as the case is put together.
Kellerman continues to extend his deep appreciation to task force members from his own staff, the Du Quoin and Pinckneyville Police Departments, the Illinois State Police investigations and crime scene units and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.
A memorial service will be held for Sidnee at 7 p.m. Saturday at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Pinckneyville with Brother Rob Mathis officiating. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin.