July trial for Illinois man charged in sister-in-law's death

HENNEPIN, Ill. (AP) - The trial has been postponed until July for an Illinois man charged with killing his sister-in-law and burying her body in a shallow grave.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports 68-year-old Clifford A. Andersen Jr.'s Putnam County trial in the 2016 death of 62-year-old Deborah K. Dewey will begin July 9 instead of on May 7. Circuit Judge Stephen Kouri granted prosecutors' request Thursday over objections from the defense, which says it's ready to go to trial. Prosecutors say they need more time to gather evidence.

Andersen of Standard is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death. He is held in the Peoria County jail on $1.5 million bond.

Kouri also said he would look into developing a backup jury plan if it proves impossible to seat a jury locally.

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Information from: Journal Star, http://pjstar.com