West's Murder Trial in Courson Death Set for December

(WEST)

The murder trial of Walter West in Clay County Circuit Court has been confirmed for December 5.

The 31-year-old Edgewood resident is one of three men charged in the September 2021 death of Roger Courson at his home outside Edgewood near the Clay-Effingham county line. 

West's final pre-trial is set for November 7. He is being held under $2.5 million bond.

West is also charged with escape, for an attempted break from Clay County Jail while in custody. He was apprehended about a half-hour later along the Little Wabash River, a short distance from the jail in Louisville. During this week's court appearance, it was decided to try West on the murder charges related to Courson's death first, then the escape charge.

West's co-defendants are also still awaiting trial. 29-year-old Christopher Gallatin of Centralia and 40-year-old Jamie Charlton of Salem both also face charges of murder and residential burglary in Courson's death. Gallatin is due for a pre-trial on November 9. Charlton will be in court for a pre-trial hearing on October 21, with a final pre-trial hearing on November 7. Charlton's trial is also scheduled to begin on December 5.