Mattoon Murder Trial Underway

The murder trial of a Mattoon man accused of fatally injuring another man got underway Tuesday.

25-year-old Joshua Mefford is accused of striking 58-year-old Robert Montague, causing the older man's death.

The incident occurred last September in the parking lot of the US Grant Motel in Mattoon.  Mefford is accused of striking Montague and taking the motel bank bag, using the money in the bag to resume a night of drinking.  Montague occasionally worked for the motel, so was sometimes in possession of the bank bag.  Montague was found dead in his room at the motel the next day. 

Prosecutors allege Mefford got a tattoo to commemorate the incident.

The defense attempted to cast doubts about the tattoo artist, who is to be questioned as to why Mefford said he got the tattoo.

The case could go to the jury by week's end.