9-year-old to face 5 murder charges in fatal Illinois fire

EUREKA, Ill. (WGN/AP) -- A prosecutor says a central Illinois 9-year-old will be charged with five counts of first-degree murder in connection with a mobile home fire that killed five people.

Woodford County State's Attorney Greg Minger tells the Peoria Journal Star the juvenile also will be charged with two counts of arson and one count of aggravated arson.

The victims of the April 6 blaze near the village of Goodfield were identified as Ariel Wall, 1, Rose Alwood and Damien Wall, both 2, Jason Wall, 34, and Kathryn Murray, 69, according to Woodford County Coroner Tim Ruestman. Two other people were treated and released at a Peoria hospital.

Minger would not reveal other details about the suspect, including a possible relationship to the victims.

He said the child, if convicted, could be placed on probation for at least five years but not beyond the age of 21. Therapy and counseling would be likely.