It likely hasn’t happened very often, but the Knox County State’s Attorney has filed a new case against a rural Galva man involved in an altercation last month that led to a man being shot and killed, after a grand jury had its say.
Knox County Circuit Court records indicate 58-year-old James Love once again faces charges of Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm. This, after a grand jury ten days ago opted to file charges including Manslaughter instead of Murder in Love’s original case.
Love was arrested about a month ago after Sheriffs Deputies were called to an area near his rural Galva home, after a car driven by 19-year-old Xavier Hartman crashed. Love reportedly went to see what happened, then allegedly got into an altercation with Hartman, causing him to shoot the teen in the leg. Hartman died when the bullet hit a main artery.
It’s not clear why the new case against Love was filed. Knox County Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Kerr declined to comment, other than to confirm that the new case was filed.
Love is scheduled to be in court on the new case Wednesday morning. He’s currently out of jail on bond, and is represented by a Bloomington-based attorney.
