MARION COUNTY — Bail has been set at $250,000 for the 48-year-old Centralia man arrested over the weekend in connection with the severe beating earlier this month of a 15-year-old boy on a Centralia street.
Christopher James was charged Monday in Marion County court with Class 3 felony aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and Class 3 felony aggravated battery in a public place. He remains held in the Marion County Jail and is next due to appear in court September 11th for a preliminary hearing and first appearance with his court appointed attorney.
A 14-year-old and two 17-year-old juvenile males have also been charged with two counts of aggravated battery each. They are being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center and all three are next scheduled to appear in court at 10am Wednesday for preliminary hearings and first appearances with their court appointed attorneys.
Court records say the 15-year-old received severe brain trauma from the beating and is unable to speak or feed himself. It’s unclear if he will ever be able to talk to police about the case.
James is currently on probation in Clinton County for aggravated domestic battery and could face an extended term of up to ten years in prison if found guilty on the Marion County charges.
Centralia Police Chief Brian Atchison says one other person is currently being sought in connection with the beating, and investigators are looking into possible involvement by others.