Lawyer: Mom killed for threat to reveal child's prostitution

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - The lawyer for a man accused in the death of the mother of his accomplice says the crime occurred because the victim threatened to tell police her daughter was a prostitute.

Christine Roush of Washington and Matthew Isabell of Marquette Heights are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Teresa Ann Poehlman of East Peoria. Poehlman's body was found July 2 by hikers on a trail in the Funks Grove Nature Preserve.

Alison Motta represents the 22-year-old Isabell. On Friday, she told McLean County Circuit Court Judge Robert Frietag her client was "merely a pawn and a witness" to the murder of Poehlman.

Frietag lowered Isbell's bond from $3 million to $1 million.

The Pantagraph in Bloomington reports defense attorney Brian McEldowney told the court a psychiatric evaluation has been conducted of Roush, but a written report has not been submitted to the court.