LAWRENCE CO.—The two people accused of murdering Robert “Bob” Westall have had bail set in their cases on a preliminary basis before officially appearing in front of a judge—and the bail is incredibly high.
Both Helen Marie Westall, 47, and Tyler McQueen, 20, arrested this past Friday (03.30.12) for the murder of Westall, 78, which occurred the previous weekend, have had a $50 million bail set in their individual cases. That means that if either one posts bond, they’d have to pony up $5 million cash—an amount that’s excessive by any stretch, but which the judge in the case (ostensibly Robert Hopkins, although Lawrence County circuit clerk personnel weren’t able to confirm that definitively this morning) apparently thinks is warranted under the circumstances.
Helen Marie Westall
The “circumstances” surrounding Marie Westall are somewhat more understandable than those of McQueen: Westall is, according to reports, mentally unstable and it was via this that there was a break in the case at all, as she reportedly confessed to being behind the murder a few days after it was discovered. Perhaps authorities are concerned that Westall might do herself in; therefore the high bail.
Tyler McQueen
McQueen, however, is another story. He is firmly grounded in the area, having family, relationships and employment (our latest info is that he was working at Mt. Carmel’s McDonald’s), and little, if any, contact with anyone outside the area who could whisk him away.
We’re hearing some other stuff about McQueen, too….stuff that doesn’t add up. We’ve had it confirmed through numerous sources that the investigation at McQueen’s Wabash County residence was nothing if not bungled. Reportedly conducted by some Mt. Carmel cops, that would surprise no one: while Mt. C and Wabash County both have capable people in charge (Jeff Besing as police chief, Joe Keeling as sheriff), apparently neither of them were involved and it was left up to some other officers who may have half-stepped it, if what we’re hearing is correct. As well, we’ve been told repeatedly now that McQueen and Westall did NOT get along, and didn’t even like each other….and that Westall may have had every reason to “involve” McQueen—either for real, or at least telling authorities he was involved, as in, NOT for real—in her alleged scheme for the sole purpose of bringing harm to him…we’ll give you the full story in the print version next week, so you will just have to wait for that, but believe me when I tell you, it’ll be worth the wait.
Westall is charged with two Class X felony Solicitation to Commit Murder for Hire counts, alleged to have offered and/or paid McQueen ten grand and a vehicle in order to carry out the murder of Bob Westall, her uncle.
McQueen is charged with three Class M counts of First Degree Murder.
Both are set to make appearances in Lawrence County circuit court tomorrow (Tuesday, April 3) in front of Associate Judge Mark Shaner, who will be giving first advisement of charges. Whether Shaner will remain the judge in the case, or it will be assigned to another judge, will be seen in the coming weeks. We point this out because Shaner is THE most disagreeable judge in the circuit and openly despises us, as we are hugely critical of him being on the bench at all. He is also an associate, which, by Illinois statute, is supposed to keep him from hearing serious, felony cases, unless specifically authorized by the Illinois Supreme Court….and while many of the associate judges in the Second Circuit had a “blanket authorization” years ago, we’re not sure of the status of that right now, and will be looking into it.
One of us will be there tomorrow at the proceedings…so keep checking back, as this is an ever-developing story, and of course, you won’t get to read ALL of it online; you’ll have to pick up a copy of the April-May print version, on stands beginning Monday, April 9, 2012.