McLean Co. murder trial delayed for co-defendant in mother stabbing

Posted on May 1, 2018

Matthew Isbell is awaiting trial on murder charges in the death of Teresa Poehlman. last year. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County murder trial that was scheduled to begin next week has been delayed to give the defense more time to review evidence.

Matthew Isbell, 23, of Marquette Heights faces murder charges in the death of Teresa Poehlman, 47, of East Peoria, whose body was found stabbed and strangled at the Sugar Grove Nature Preserve near McLean last July 2.

Isbell testified against co-defendant Christine Roush, Poehlman’s daughter who pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced in January to 40 years in prison.

Isbell told police Roush killed her mother to stop her from revealing Roush was a prostitute, which could have caused her to lose custody of her own daughter.

McLean County prosecutors say the defense has been given more than 20 DVDs of videos, photos and other evidence. The latest DVD was delivered by Illinois State Police to attorneys in the case on April 23.

The trial has been set for a status hearing on May 30 when a new trial date could be set.

Isbell is being held on $3 million bond.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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