PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - A Peoria man will stay in the county jail after investigators linked him to a body found inside a garage that had been set on fire in November, the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office said.
Authorities said 62-year-old Joseph E. Alexander faces first-degree murder charges. A judge granted the state’s motion to detain him until trial.
Fire crews responded on Nov. 26 at about 8:30 a.m. to the 1200 block of Northeast Perry Avenue in the North Valley. After extinguishing the blaze, crews discovered a man’s body inside the garage.
The victim was later identified as 68-year-old Jimmy L. Steele, who had been living in the garage, officials said.
Shortly after the fire was put out, officers were summoned a few blocks away to a man whose clothing and right hand wer

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