WASHINGTON COUNTY — A 45-year-old man charged in connection with the death of Montez Pearson in Washington County has indicated to the court he intends to proceed with an affirmative defense in the case that has already seen one other defendant convicted for Pearson’s murder.

Arrion Sanders, of Belleville, is charged with first-degree murder of 44-year-old Pearson in July of this year. Pearson’s body was found July 19 near Lunte Creek Road just west of Nashville, Illinois.

Sanders is one of three defendants accused of killing Pearson. He’s charged along with 57-year-old Milton Robinson, who is also next scheduled for a December 19 status hearing in court.

A Washington County jury found a third man, 44-year-old Kevin Loucks guilty in October of first-degree murder and he’s scheduled to be sentenced the same day the other two defendants are scheduled for status hearings.

On Tuesday, Sanders’s attorney indicated to the court intent to file an affirmative defense in the case but said he anticipates the state will either move to strike the motion or will file another motion in response.

When a defendant in an Illinois criminal case uses an affirmative defense, he or she is admitting to committing the crime in question but intends to submit evidence that would legally justify his or her actions.

All three men remain in custody, under the same conditions of release put in place before the SafeT Act went into effect.