MT. VERNON – A man has been arrested for First-degree Murder after allegedly shooting his wife to death during a domestic dispute at their home on North Illinois 148 in rural Mt. Vernon Monday night.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, authorities learned about a possible homicide just after 8 p.m. They gathered information regarding a possible location and a suspect vehicle – a Ford Escape.
Deputies began their search for the crime scene and the vehicle when law enforcement in Franklin County spotted the vehicle and stopped it in the 9000 block of Birch Road in rural Du Quoin. ISP, Du Quoin Police and Perry County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to assist.
The driver, 51-year-old John W. Finney, was detained. Authorities swept the vehicle and found his wife, 42-year-old Amy J. Finney, dead inside.
Meanwhile, Jefferson County deputies discovered that the crime scene was at the couple’s home. Mt. Vernon Police were called in to help secure the area. Illinois State Police Crime Scene technicians also responded to both scenes for forensic processing.
Search warrants for the home and the felony stop location were obtained from the Jefferson County State’s Attorney. The Perry County Coroner was notified and responded to take custody of Amy Finney’s body.
