A 40-year prison sentence has been handed a central Illinois woman who pleaded guilty to murder in the stabbing death of her mother. Christine Roush pleaded guilty in December in the July 2017 death of 47-year-old Theresa Poehlman of East Peoria. Forensic pathologist Dr. Scott Denton testified Poehlman suffered at least a dozen stab wounds to her neck and chest, including two knife wounds that pierced her heart. Poehlman's body was found in a wooded area at Funk's Grove Nature Preserve.
Authorities say Roush of Washington killed her mother because she threatened to report to authorities Roush's alleged work as a prostitute. Such action could have jeopardized Roush's efforts to have custody of her 2-year-old daughter
Also charged in Poehlman's death is 20-year-old Matthew Isabell of Marquette Heights. He is scheduled to stand trial later this year.
