JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) - A southern Illinois man charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of his wife will face a jury in the new year.

John W. Finney, 51, was arrested for first-degree murder.

According to online court records, Finney will have a pre-trial hearing via video conference on December 10. He’ll then have a final pre-trial hearing on January 20, 2026 and his jury trial is set for Jan. 27.

Finney is being held at the Jefferson County Jail.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard said a concerned citizen who is now a witness spoke to the suspect on the phone and got a “strong indication” that a murder took place. The witness then called the sheriff’s office around 8:03 p.m. on Monday, September 1.

Deputies put out an alert for the vehicle, a gray 2007 F

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