Man accused of killing Palatine girl makes court appearance

More than 17 years' worth of evidence and documents relating to the murder of 14-year-old Amber Creek have been shared with the defense team of the Palatine man accused of killing her, according to court documents.

James P. Eaton, 36, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse in connection with the murder of Amber, a Palatine resident who disappeared in January 1997 after leaving a Chicago juvenile home where she had been living. Her body was discovered about two weeks later in Burlington, Wisconsin.

Eaton was arrested and charged with killing in April by the Racine County Sheriff's Office. Since then, investigators have passed along evidence to prosecutors and Eaton's defense team. Both sides were in court Monday for a pretrial hearing.

Eaton, who remains in custody while awaiting trial, will return to court Dec. 19. No trial date has been set.