FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COLLINSVILLE, IL (July 7, 2005) – On Thursday, July 7, 2005, Shauntez T. Hairston, age 25, of Edwardsville, IL, was charged by the St. Clair County States Attorney with First Degree Murder for the murder of Marissa N. Tharp, age 20, of New Boston, IL. Hairston was taken into custody by Illinois State Police investigators on July 5, 2005, at an address in East St. Louis, IL, shortly after the body of Tharp was found in a trailer in Alorton, IL. Hairston remains incarcerated at the St. Clair County Jail in Belleville, IL. Bond is set at $1,000,000. The public is reminded that criminal defendants are presumed innocent until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt.