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Salem man is third arrested for murder in connection with death of Edgewood man

By Bruce Kropp Oct 7, 2021 | 11:46 AM
Jamie Charlton

A 39-year-old Salem man has become the third person arrested in connection with the September 27th strangulation death of 80-year-old Roger Courson at his Edgewood home.

Jamie Charlton is charged with two counts of murder and single counts of home invasion and residential burglary.   The charges were unsealed in Clay County Court Thursday morning.   The bond on the warrant was set at $750,000.

It was not immediately announced where Charlton was taken into custody.

27-year-old Christopher Gallatin of Centralia and 30-year-old Walter West of Edgewood were charged in Clay County Court on Monday with two counts of murder and a single count of residential burglary.  They are both being held in lieu of a $2.5-million bond.

State’s Attorney Andrew Koester earlier announced he did not believe any weapons were used in the strangulation death.  He reported 20 firearms, a safe, and a TV were taken from the home.

The State Division of Criminal Investigation that is leading the investigation, says as a result of Crime Stoppers tips provided by the public to the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and Effingham City Police Department, suspects were developed.