Alleged accomplice said he watched woman stab her mother to death in Funks Grove

Posted on July 8, 2017

 

Matthew Isbell of Marquette Heights is one of two people charged with murdering Teresa Poehlman of East Peoria. Her body was discovered last Sunday in Funks Grove. (McLean County Sheriff’s Department photo.)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The daughter of murder victim Teresa Poehlman of East Peoria planned and committed the killing at Funks Grove last weekend, according to a second suspect in the case.

McLean County prosecutors revealed some details of their case, but not a motive, as a judge on Saturday considered bail for Christine Roush, 22, of Washington and Matthew Isbell, 20, of Marquette Heights.

Isbell told police he saw Roush stab her mother, who was 47, near a trail at the Sugar Grove Nature Center. He and Roush allegedly took off in his truck, and authorities said they found blood in the passenger seat area consistent with his story.

Authorities were also able to confirm through surveillance video Isbell’s description of the clothes they were wearing, and later found what appeared to be blood on Roush’s shirt.

Isbell also told investigators a third person, who has not been arrested, knew about the planning and cover-up.

Bond was set at $4 million for Roush and $3 million for Isbell.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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