Urbana trial witness killed, defendant a no show

URBANA — A witness in a trial in Champaign County has been shot to death, and authorities say the defendant didn’t show up for the trial’s opening.

Urbana police tell The (Champaign) News-Gazette that 29-year-old Curtis Mosley was fatally shot Monday night at an Urbana apartment.

Mosley was scheduled to testify Tuesday in the trial of 23-year-old Ardis Fenn. Fenn has pleaded not guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm in the June 12 shooting of Mosley.

A jury was selected Monday in Fenn’s trial, but court officials say he didn’t show up on Tuesday. He was free on bond.

Fenn’s public defender hasn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Judge Tom Difanis has issued a warrant for Fenn’s arrest.