GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) — A Chicago man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and weapons charges in the death of a Galesburg man.
WGIL-Radio in Galesburg reports that 29-year-old Christopher Croom’s public defender entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at an appearance in Knox County Circuit Court Wednesday, and asked for a jury trial.
The charges stem from the death of 49-year-old Melvin Buckner, who allegedly was stabbed during an altercation on Aug. 13 in Galesburg and died four days later at a Peoria hospital.
Croom was arrested August 25 by U.S. Marshals in the Chicago suburb of Lake in the Hills.
He remains in the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock on $1 million bond.
