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Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.
Suspects Face Charges Of First Degree Murder
That's when authorities found the bodies of Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors. The women had been shot to death inside their West Frankfort home.
Franklin County State's attorney Tom Dinn says the persons of interest were tracked down in Colorado. Schallert and Ferris were discovered late Wednesday night in Larimer County, Colorado. Dinn says the two were arrested without incident and are now charged with first degree murder. Meanwhile, the investigation continues in Colorado and here at home.
"I feel fantastic about catching these people."
That's because, Franklin County States Attorney Tom Dinn says, he believes Michael Schallert and Afton Ferris are guilty of murder. A double homicide that, according to the coroner, consisted of shooting Terri Seibeck and Kandis Majors multiple times in the face.
"Oh, they will be transported back to this area, without question, because I'll be filing murder charges and they will be tried here."
Dinn says, the pair were initially being held at the Larimer County Detention Center for possession of a stolen fire arm, a felony charge Dinn says, was necessary to get US Marshals involved...
"There are tactical reasons for that- that is just the initial charge. That is the least of their worries, lets put it that way."
Now, the pair are being held on two first degree murder charges with $2-million bond each.
Dinn says, US Marshals generated leads that led police to a trailer park on 517 East Trilby Road near Fort Collins, Colorado. A trailer believed to be owned by an acquaintance of Schallert's.
"I believe the SWAT team was involved- though they were taken without incident."
West Frankfort Police Chief Jeff Tharp and Investigator Mike Dinn were not available for comment but for good reason...
"They took the first flight out this morning, very early this morning, to go to Colorado.
I spoke with Tharp briefly on Thursday. He says, they are collecting evidence and interviewing Schallert and Ferris.
Dinn says, the suspects may be in custody, but his work is nowhere close to over.
"This is just starting, so, our work is just starting."
Dinn says, there is no timeline for when the pair will return to Illinois, but when they do, they face two charges of first degree murder a piece.
Members of Terri's family gave News 3 this statement: "Everyone's just really relieved. It's just a little bit of weight lifted off our shoulders. Ultimately, the people responsible will get theirs."
By: Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265727615
