MARION COUNTY — Five people accused in the December murder of a man in rural Centralia are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings Tuesday in Marion County Court.

Three of the defendants, 53-year-old Cardell Thomas, 30-year-old Krystal Scerba, and 28-year-old Blake Shahan have each been charged with first-degree murder during the commission of a forcible felony, while 26-year-old Mantez Duncan was charged with two counts first-degree murder during the commission of a forcible felony and 27-year-old Darleedria Flippen has been charged with first-degree murder during the commission of a forcible felony and Class X felony armed robbery with a firearm. Social media accounts show Flippen and the victim were associated prior to the incident that led to his death.

Evidence is expected to be presented against the five defendants who are accused of the December 2019 homicide death of 39-year-old Clendar Edmond of East St. Louis.

The mother of his four sons has said on social media that the manner of Edmond’s death was so horrific that she can’t imagine any human being could murder a person in that way.

As of Monday, Edmond’s remains had not yet been released to his family. Bail for the five defendants has been set at $1 million and they all remain in the Marion County Jail.