Courson Murder Suspects in Court Monday

Pre-trial hearings were held Monday in Clay County Circuit Court for all three defendants in the murder of Roger Courson of rural Edgewood.

(WALTER WEST)

Walter West of Edgewood, Jamie Charlton of Salem and Christopher Gallatin of Centralia are all charged with first degree murder and residential burglary in connection with the death of the 80-year-old Courson at his home just across the Clay County line near Edgewood in September 2021.

West is also charged with escape for an alleged attempt to flee the Clay County Jail in Louisville in December. He was apprehended a short time later without incident.

(JAMIE CHARLTON)

West is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on the murder, residential burglary and escape charges on March 2. Meanwhile, Gallatin and Charlton were held over for further pre-trial on March 14.

(CHRISTOPHER GALLATIN)

Each of the three defendants is being held on $2.5 million bond.