Man accused of killing pregnant woman

BLOOMINGTON -- A not guilty plea has been entered for a central Illinois man arraigned on charges in the rape and beating death of his pregnant sister-in-law.

Twenty-one-year-old Jason Marksteiner of LeRoy made a brief court appearance in McLean County Circuit Court in Bloomington on Friday.

He's charged with murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child, and aggravated criminal sexual assault in the death late last month of 19-year-old Jodi McGrew.

Autopsy results show the Hallsville woman was in her second trimester and died of blunt-force trauma to the head. Strangulation was listed as a significant contributor.

Marksteiner remains jailed on $1 million bond.

A prosecutor says there's no decision yet on whether the death penalty will be sought.

Marksteiner's next court appearance is set for Dec. 5.