A Sangamon County Grand Jury returned a 13-count indictment yesterday against a man accused of killing a couple in the southwest edge of Springfield earlier this month.
23 year old Mark N. Crites has been indicted for 8 counts of first degree murder, one count of aggravated arson, one count of residential arson, theft, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and aggravated possession of stolen firearms.
The charges relate to an arson incident in the 100 block of Genoa Drive in Springfield where Crites is alleged to try and burn a house down with people present. Then, later on in the dates, Crites is alleged to have shot and killed Gloria & John Norgaard in their home located in the 500 block of West Southwind Road in Springfield before stealing a vehicle. Crites was later apprehended in Benld located inside of a stolen 2007 Dodge Charger.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright’s Office says that Crites will be arraigned on the charges this morning. He remains held at the Sangamon County Jail on $5 million bond. If Crites is convicted on all the charges, he faces a potential mandatory life sentence to prison.