Robert Gill made his first court appearance this afternoon in Morgan County Court.
Gill was rolled by a bailiff from the Morgan County Jail across the street to the courthouse in a wheelchair. He was arrested yesterday afternoon after having spent the weekend in the hospital. Three charges of first-degree murder were read to Gill by Associate Judge Jeffery Tobin.
No plea was entered to the murder charges, which are Class M felonies that carry sentences of 20-60 years in prison. In addition, Tobin said if charges of illegal possession and discharge of a firearm are added, it could mean another 60 years in prison.
Morgan County State’s Attorney Bobby Bonjean explains why three murder charges were filed.
“It’s simply the way the statute’s written. It’s really just one charge, but charged three different ways, it’s like an alternative. That’s just covering the bases in terms of the first-degree murder charge,” Bonjean says.
Bonjean says it’s too early to tell if additional charges will be filed.
Gill remains lodged at the Morgan County Jail on $3 million bond. His attorney, Scott Hanken of Springfield, asked Judge Tobin for a bond reduction of $500,000, but Tobin instructed him to fill out a written motion first.
A preliminary court appearance for Gill is scheduled for October 1st.
Friends of Andy Maul say he would typically meet his ex-wife for a custody exchange at the JPD parking lot. Police Chief Tony Grootens indicated authorities have had contact with Maul and his ex-wife, Jewell Maul, because of previous child custody exchange issues.