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Erlenbush was
accompanied by Lincoln Police Department Deputy Chief Mike Geriets and
Logan County State's Attorney Michael McIntosh. Logan County Sheriff
Steve Nichols attended the conference as an observer.
Before the
conference began, Erlenbush advised media he intended to read
from a prepared statement and that questions would be allowed
afterward. "Right now I won't vary from the prepared
statement," he said.
After reading the prepared statement, the chief said
that interviews are still in progress and that all reports by
Lincoln and state police investigators would be turned over to
the state's attorney's office. During reporter's questions, the
chief did say that the mother had been interviewed and is not a
suspect.
After Erlenbush read the prepared statement, McIntosh
said the felony murder charges carried a minimum of 20 years up to
the maximum of life in prison. McIntosh said the charge was felony
murder in that the aggravated battery of the child led to the
child's death.
When questioned by
a reporter as to Cline's criminal history, McIntosh said that Cline
had a DUI in the late '90s and a restraining order against him in
1988, but that there was nothing violent in his personal background
previous to these charges.
Erlenbush
was asked what made him convinced they "had the right man."
"The
investigation does," was the chief's reply.
Cline was to be
arraigned on the charges Thursday in Logan County
Circuit Court at 1:30 p.m. At the hearing, he asked for and was
granted a continuance until Tuesday, Sept 1 at 11:00 am.
From left, State's Attorney Michael McIntosh, Police Chief Stuart Erlenbush,
Deputy Chief Mike Geriets
The following is
the text of the police chief's statement on the timeline and arrest
of Cline:
Press Release, August 26, 2009
Chief Stuart R. Erlenbush
State's Attorney Michael McIntosh
Death Investigation
Lucas T. Alberts, Age 2, DOB 07-13-2007
Jody L. Alberts, mother of Lucas Alberts, was in a dating
relationship with Ty C. Cline.
During the evening hours of August 22, 2009, Cline was babysitting
Lucas Alberts at Cline's residence located at 540 14th Street,
Lincoln, IL.
[to top of second column] |
At approximately 6:30 a.m. August 23, 2009, Lincoln Police were
notified that a two year old male was brought to the emergency room
at ALMH with serious injuries. LPD officers responded and learned
that the victim was Lucas Alberts and that Alberts was brought to
the hospital by his mother Jody Alberts.
Officers interviewed Jody Alberts at this time. Lucas Alberts was
airlifted to Saint Francis hospital in Peoria, IL.
LPD Detectives and Officers met with Logan County States Attorney
Mike McIntosh and secured a search warrant for the residence of Ty
C. Clime at 540 14th St. LPD Officers and an Illinois State Police
Crime Scene Investigator went to the residence where Ty Cline was
interviewed and the search of the residence was conducted. Various
items of evidence were removed from the residence. LPD Officers
continued the investigation with the Illinois State Police.
On August 24, 2009 LPD was notified that Lucas Alberts died at the
hospital. An autopsy was scheduled for the following morning.
On August 25, 2009 LPD Officers attended the autopsy in Peoria,
Illinois. The officers were advised by the pathologist that Lucas
Alberts cause of death was "blunt force trauma" to the head.
LPD Officers then arranged a meeting in Lincoln with the Logan
County States Attorney
McIntosh, Assistant States Attorney Jonathon Wright, and several
Illinois State Police
Special Agents who were called in to assist with the investigation.
As a result of the
meeting an arrest warrant was issued for Ty C. Cline for the offense
of Murder. States
Attorney McIntosh will brief you as to the elements of the offense.
LPD Officers and State Police Agents continued the investigation and
attempted to locate Cline.
On today's date (Wednesday), at approximately 11:00 a.m., Illinois State Police
Agents, with LPD officers present, arrested Clime at a family member's residence in
Bloomington, Illinois.
Cline was transported to Lincoln and is now being held in the Logan
County Jail in lieu
of $5,000,000.00 bond.
[LDN]
(Obituary:
Lucas Alberts) |
