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Appeal ends in new detention hearing for Peoria woman accused of murder

A gavel rests on a judge's bench in a blurry courtroom. The text "WCBU Courts" sits on top of that photo.

An appellate court ruling means a Peoria woman accused of a fatal August 2023 stabbing is getting a new detention hearing.

Cathy Logan, 54, was arrested in connection with the death of Tanazisha Green, 26, in September 2023. Logan is charged with first-degree murder.

According to background information in the 10-page decision filed Tuesday, Logan’s first pretrial detention hearing was held on May 16, 2024.

Logan’s pretrial release was denied in May and then again in June 2024. Both times, former Peoria County judge John Vespa found Logan’s missed court dates and the nature of the alleged crime and associated evidence were sufficient to meet flight risk and standards of danger.

Judges Raylene Grischow, Kathryn Zenoff and James Knecht disagreed.

In the decision, the judges write: “A review of the transcripts reveals that the court did not provide sufficient detail regarding the basis for its decision to deny defendant pretrial release.”

The decision goes on to specifically cite examples, such as when the court responded “no thanks,” to the question of examining additional information about Logan’s background. Another section of the decision states Vespa seems uncertain about how to decide pretrial release, quoting him as saying, “If I didn’t get it right when I tried to recall what [the attorneys] said, use your own language.”

“Absent adequate findings from the trial court, we are unable to address the sufficiency of the facts underlying the court’s decision to deny defendant pretrial release,” the judges write.

The finding concludes that Vespa’s order should be vacated and a new pretrial detention hearing set as soon as possible.

Peoria County Court records do not show a new pretrial detention hearing date set for Logan. Her next appearance is a scheduling conference set for Oct. 31.

The case is scheduled for a jury trial on Nov. 12.

Collin Schopp is a reporter at WCBU. He joined the station in 2022.