Murder suspect accused of assaulting deputy

EDWARDSVILLE -- One of four men accused in a kidnapping and fatal beating is in more legal trouble, this time for throwing human waste on a southern Illinois sheriff's deputy while in jail.

Madison County prosecutors on Friday charged 21-year-old Terry Ballinger with aggravated battery, accusing him of throwing urine and feces on the deputy Oct. 29.

The charge is a felony because the victim is a law enforcement officer.

Ballinger is among four men charged with first-degree murder in the February 2007 beating and slashing death of 41-year-old Ernest Walker of Alton. Walker's body was found in Missouri.

One defendant is serving a 28-year prison sentence in the killing. Another defendant is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday.