The McDonough County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed two counts of first-degree murder against Timothy L. Smith. His first court appearance on the charges is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 20. (UPDATE: Judge Nigel Graham denied pretrial release for Smith, who was in jail on domestic and aggravated battery charges.)
Smith is accused in the death of Darrell Hocker, 51.
Both were cellmates at the jail when Smith allegedly struck Hocker several times in the head, neck, and chest during the early morning hours of Nov. 8.
Hocker was taken to McDonough District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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