Mathis, Houser Both Plead Guilty to Concealment of a Homicidal Death

Both people charged with concealment of a homicidal death in the murder of Joseph Delaney pleaded guilty Monday morning.

Zebadiah Houser and Kristy Mathis were charged with helping dispose of Delaney's body after he was allegedly stabbed to death by Christine Burr at Burr's residence in Effingham.

Houser was sentenced to three years and six months in prison on his charge, while Mathis was placed on 30 months probation including 180 days in jail.  State's Attorney Bryan Kibler and defense attorney Lupita Thompson both said Mathis was of considerable assistance in statements she has made to authorities, which is what led to her sentence of probation.  She is being given credit for the time she has spent in jail awaiting disposition of her case, so Mathis will be released from custody today.

Houser will also be given credit for time he has served since his arrest on the count in December.

Both Houser and Mathis acknowledged helping put Delaney's body in a van and taking it to a rural part of Jasper County north of Newton where they disposed of the body.

Kibler said there is nothing in the evidence to indicate either was involved in the actual murder.

Burr is slated to go on trial in July.