New Prosecutor Named in Barger Murder Case

Prosecution of the Deven Barger murder case in Shelby County is back in the hands of the States Attorney's office.

Barger is charged with the fatal shooting of his pregnant girlfriend, Samantha Cushing at a house in Shelbyville in July 2019. The incident also resulted in the death of the unborn child Cushing was carrying.

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Following the shooting, Barger led authorities on a chase that reached the Effingham area and then headed to Taylorville where he surrendered. Barger's three-year-old daughter was with him during the pursuit.

Former Shelby County State's Attorney Gina Vonderheide withdrew from prosecution of the case after decided against seeking re-election. Kate Kurtz of the Illinois State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor's Service was appointed to take over the prosecution.

As the case has not gone to trial, Judge Amanda Ade-Harlow Monday ordered that prosecution of the case should be returned to the State's Attorney's Office. New State's Attorney Nichole Kroncke will head the prosecution.

During her time as prosecutor, Kurtz filed six additional counts; two counts of first degree murder and three counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child. 

No trial date has been set.