Woman blames ex-boyfriend in double killing

BENTON — A murder trial in southern Illinois is nearing an end after the defendant testified that she wasn't the one who fatally shot two West Frankfort women during a suspected home invasion.

Closing arguments and jury deliberations were expected Tuesday in the Franklin County proceedings involving 21-year-old Afton Ferris.

Ferris is charged along with her 30-year-old former boyfriend, Michael Schallert, in the 2009 killings of Kandis Majors and Terri Seibeck. Witnesses have testified both victims were shot repeatedly.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports Ferris testified Monday that she at first told police she was the gunman, looking to deflect blame from Schallert. But she now calls Schallert "a thieving, lying scoundrel" who used her and did the killing.

Schallert has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in September.