Yoder Murder Case Confirmed for Trial

The murder case of Charles Yoder has been confirmed for trial on June 2.

During a brief court appearance Thursday morning, trial judge Kimberly Koester heard from the attorneys in the case, State's Attorney Bryan Kibler and Public Defender Scott Schmidt that there could be three or four motions to be argued before the case goes to trial.  One motion deals with photographs and whether they should be admitted into evidence, but the others concern information regarding the character of Yoder and the person killed in the incident, Ted Debany.

The attorneys will argue the motions before Judge Koester at 1:30pm on Tuesday, May 27.  If those are cleared up, jury selection in the case should begin on June 2 with testimony to begin the following day.

Yoder is charged with stabbing Debany to death last May 7.  Yoder is alleging his actions were in self-defense.

The attorneys are also assigned the case of Jay Miller, the Altamont man facing drug charges including drug induced homicide.  Miller's trial is also slated to occur in June.  

Judge Koester indicated they might choose the jury for that trial once the jury is selected for Yoder's trial and then Miller's trial would proceed as soon as Yoder's trial is concluded. 

Yoder is being held without bond in Effingham County Jail.