One of the three individuals charged with Concealment of a Homicide in connection with the death of 32-year-old Chase Mitchell of Eldorado made an appearance at the Saline County court Tuesday, April 13th to petition for a bond reduction. Toria Emerson, who pled not guilty at her preliminary hearing, has been housed in the Saline County Jail on $150,000 bail ($15,000 cash bond), and was seeking a reduction in bond by two-thirds, or $50,000 bail ($5,000 bond). The motion was denied, however, Emerson bonded out for $15,000 cash following her hearing. She is set to appear for Pretrial on May 7, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Saline County Courthouse in Harrisburg, IL.
Chase Mitchell of Eldorado was 32 when volunteers found his body near the Saline/Gallatin County line on June 9, 2020. Mitchell was reported missing by family to Eldorado law
enforcement in early May of 2020.
The charging documents allege the three defendants, 30-year-old Richard Emerson, 23-year-old Toria Emerson, and 42-year-old Troy Gwaltney knowingly concealed the death by disposing of Mitchell’s body, officials say sometime between April 15th and June 9th of 2020.
Richard Emerson is set for Pretrial on June 17, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., and Troy Gwaltney will appear in Saline County Court for Pretrial at 9:00 a.m. this Friday, April 16, 2021. Gwaltney asked for a reduction of bond on July 23, 2020 and was denied in court. Gwaltney has also pleaded not guilty.
All three defendants have been charged with Class 3 felonies for Concealment of a Homicidal Death (720 ILCS 5/9-3.2). We will have more details on this story as it develops.
