Witt man faces charges in connection to local murder

WITT — A Witt man is facing charges in Montgomery County Court in relation to a murder that took place on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 103 Vermilion St.

As a result of an investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, 30-year-old Allan J. “AJ” Frayer was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Per the investigation, multiple gunshots from a .22 caliber rifle and knife wounds were the result of the death of 36-year-old Jason S. Newell. Newell, who has a Springfield address, was temporarily residing at the residence and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Another resident at the address, 18-year-old Elise L. Rufus, was brought in for questioning and was later released.

Frayer received his arraignment in court the following Tuesday, Aug. 4, with Public Defender Erin Mattson appointed to the case. As a result, probable cause was found with the bail being set at $1.5 million. 10% posting would be $150,000 and would only be approved under special conditions.

Frayer’s first appearance with counsel was Monday, with a preliminary hearing on the docket for 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Should it go to trial, there is not currently a set timeline considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frayer could receive two concurrent life sentences for the murder counts and between two and ten years in prison for the firearms violation.

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Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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