The man accused of the shooting death of a tavern owner in rural Momence is now officially charged. In Kankakee Circuit Court (Tuesday), 47-year-old Julius Burkes Jr. of Hammond, IN was formally charged with the murder of Courtney Drysdale at the Line Bar along Route 114 in Momence. Ms. Drysdale was shot “execution style” as she was opening the business that day, according to police investigators.

Burkes was charged Tuesday with 3-counts of Murder, armed robbery, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Prosecutors say they’ll seek a penalty of Life in Prison – without parole, if he’s found guilty.

Burkes is jailed in Indiana, where h faces charges on another case. He’s facing extradition back to Illinois to answer to the charges in the Momence case.

94.1 WGFA