Springfield man arraigned in Morgan County murder

JACKSONVILLE -- Springfield resident Steven Mark Pryer has appeared for arraignment in Jacksonville on charges he shot and killed Diann Hoagland outside her rural Morgan County home.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register says the 47-year-old Pryer was formally charged Monday with five counts of murder and one count of residential burglary for the Aug. 18 death.

Authorities believe Hoagland interrupted a burglary at her home.

Morgan County Assistant State's Attorney Robert Bonjean III said the murder charges carry a penalty of life in prison or death since Pryer previously was convicted of murder.

Pryer had pleaded guilty to the November 1982 slayings of a Springfield couple and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, but served less than half that term.

Pryer is represented by Jacksonville attorney G. Ronald Kesinger. He remains jailed on $2 million bond.