Friday, Sep. 26, 2008
Police on Thursday charged Santoin D. Russell, of unincorporated O'Fallon, with first-degree murder in connection with the strangulation of Blake M. Harvey, of unincorporated O'Fallon.
The Major Case Squad made the announcement at the St. Clair County Jail.
Russell, 23, has been held at the St. Clair County Jail since Wednesday, after police found him about 1 a.m. at his house in the 700 block of Forest Green Drive. His bail has been set at $1 million.
Russell and the victim were "mere acquaintances" said Granite City Police Maj. Jeff Connor, who is also the deputy commander of the Major Case Squad.
Connor said the victim died sometime between the evening of Sept. 19 and the morning of Sept. 20.
Russell was at the house with the victim's consent, and there was an altercation between the two. Connor would not comment on whether a weapon or drugs were found at the house, and said investigators will not comment on a motive.
"We don't want to release everything with the evidence that we have," Connor said.
Harvey, 46, was found dead about 9:30 a.m. Sunday in his home at 621 E. State St. near O'Fallon, where he lived alone.
Police investigated about 80 leads that they received with the public's help, according to Madison County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Dixon, who is working with the squad.
About 16 to 20 detectives worked on the case at any given time, Dixon said, and they were "working a lot of hours, putting in a diligent effort."
Harvey spent three stints in state prison for drug-related charges.
Harvey is survived by his brothers, Ricky Harvey and Frederick Singleton; his biological daughter, Candace Harvey; his son by marriage, Jonathan Johnson; and his ex-wife Penny Harvey.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the L. King Funeral Chapel, 7711 W. Main St. in Belleville.
Additional visitation hours will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday before funeral services at noon at the Christ the King Apostolic Church, 6920 Old Collinsville Road in O'Fallon.
Contact reporter Jacqueline Lee at jlee@bnd.com or 239-2655