New Counsel in Place in Antrim Case

First, a new defense attorney was needed.  Now, a new prosecutor has been named in the case of Justin Antrim.

The Teutopolis man is one of three people arrested in 2012 on counts of aggravated battery and a hate crime.  The charges stem from an incident during which a man was beaten up at a bar in downtown Altamont.

Antrim's case needed a new defense attorney and prosecutor due to the election of Bryan Kibler as Effingham County State's Attorney.  Kibler had been serving as Antrim's defense counsel so, when he was elected, attorney Scott Ealy took over Antrim's defense.  However, due to Kibler's previous ties to Antrim, Kibler will not prosecute the case.

Instead, David Rands of the Illinois State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor Service will serve as a special prosecutor.  Rands is also a former Richland County State's Attorney.

Antrim's case is next due in court on January 23.