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Last updated 7:41 am CT February 09, 2010.
Saline Co State's Attorney Remains on Drug Case
Efforts by Monroe's attorney to have the State's Attorney, Mike Henshaw, removed from the case were squashed Tuesday morning. Judge, Ronald Eckiss, ruled there was not a conflict of interest in the case, allowing Henshaw to continue the prosecution against Monroe. The person in question does not currently face any charges related to this case, so News 3 will not reveal his name.
The mug shot was taken only hours after Galatia School teacher and athletic director, Tim Monroe, was taken into custody in April of last year. Illinois State Police arrested Monroe on Galatia school grounds. He now faces charges for dealing cocaine within 1000-feet of a church.
After his arrest, in an effort to reduce his sentence, Monroe started naming names. One of which, he said, was his drug supplier... A man, Monroe and his lawyer contend, had a relationship with the Saline County State's attorney.
They knew the decision before we ever reached the courtroom," Monroe told his attorney, Paul Christenson, after the motion hearing.
For the pair, it was a frustrating day in court.
"We're disappointed," Christenson explains. "We thought that we'd established a relationship with the _____."
They allege Henshaw's relationship with said person is a conflict of interest and he shouldn't be allowed to prosecute the case...
"We believe we established a friendship. The State's Attorney was having dinner and drinking with this guy, and he was an employee of the State's Attorney."
But Saline County Judge, Ronald Eckiss, disagreed and denied the motion to have Henshaw removed from the case. Henshaw says, that was the right decision...
"I believe he correctly applied what facts he heard in the hearing last week in rendering his decision."
As for his relationship with the person in question, Henshaw says, he was only an employee hired to do masonry work on his home.
"I took them to dinner- we had a beer at the Elks and that's it."
While Christenson says, he is disappointed with the decision, he also believes it gives himself and Monroe leverage later on...
"What they have done for Mr. Monroe's case is given him an opportunity to raise this issue on appeal should he be convicted. Period."
Monroe is out on bond and scheduled to return to court in early January for a jury trial. But, that trial date hinges on Christenson, who says he may ask for a change of venue. If that, in fact, does happen, there's no way of knowing the rescheduled trial date.
By: Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265724481
