Adams Trial Backed Up to April

The trial of John Adams, the Bluffs, Illinois man charged with two counts of aggravated DUI causing death, has been continued another month.

The 60-year-old Adams was driving a truck that was turning through a median turnaround on I-57 north of Effingham last October 17. The truck, which was not completely off the roadway, was struck by a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Brianne Martin of Effingham, resulting in Martin's death.

During a court appearance Tuesday morning, Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt said the defense has just received the report on the crash from the accident reconstruction officer and would need time to review the report before proceeding to trial. Judge Kimberly Koester vacated the scheduled March trial date and re-set Adams' trial for April 6. Adams is next due in court on March 23 for a pre-trial hearing.

Meanwhile, another attorney who had been representing Adams on traffic citations resulting from the crash, was granted a request to be removed from the case, and Schmidt will handle all charges facing Adams.

Adams remains in Effingham County Jail under $75,000 bond.