PEORIA, Ill. – A man accused in what is Peoria’s 4th homicide of 2024 was ordered to stay in jail after a pre-trial detention hearing on Tuesday.
Josef Viel, 61, is charged with First Degree Murder in relation to the death of his girlfriend, Tonya Fuller, 58.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning in the Lexington Hills Apartments. It was the second of two murders that occurred hours apart from this past weekend at the apartment complex. Javier McGhee, 21, is accused in the shooting death of Trashawn Morris, 27, late Saturday evening in the same area.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office revealed more details of Fuller’s death at the hearing. Prosecutors say was covered in blood from multiple stab wounds and other blunt-force injuries.
They say Fuller had more than 30 lacerations, bruises, and fractures to her jaw and teeth, along with defensive injuries. Prosecutors say a hammer and knife that apparently had blood covered on them were reportedly found in the apartment.
Viel’s next court appearance is an arraignment scheduled for April 18th.
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