Illinois girl charged in mom’s slaying to get mental review

STERLING, Ill. – A western Illinois girl charged with murder in her mother’s slaying will get a psychological assessment to help determine whether she’ll be tried as an adult.

The body of 53-year-old Peggy S. Schroeder was found in a burning home July 8 in Morrison, about 130 miles (210 kilometres) west of Chicago. Schroeder’s daughter was charged as a juvenile with two counts of first-degree murder, concealing a homicide and arson.

The teen allegedly shot her mother in the head and attempted to conceal the body by setting the house on fire.

Sauk Valley Media reports a Chicago psychiatrist hired by the defence is scheduled to interview the 15-year-old on Saturday. The evaluation should be ready for review in March.

Another girl is charged for allegedly helping conceal the killing.

___

Information from: The Daily Gazette, http://www.saukvalley.com