EDGEWOOD, IL — A preliminary hearing was set Monday for Walter West, one of three suspects in the murder of Roger Courson of rural Edgewood.

The 30-year-old West, 39-year-old Jamie Charlton of Salem and 27-year-old Christopher Gallatin of Centralia are all charged in Courson’s strangling death. Courson was found dead in his home by a family member the morning of Sunday, September 26. The charges against each of the defendants allege that they committed the murder and residential burglary of Courson’s home, or they acted as accomplices. West’s preliminary hearing was set for December 15. Charlton is next due in court on November 24, while Gallatin is next due in court on November 15.

Each of the three defendants is being held on $2.5 million bond. No trial dates have been scheduled.