Illinois man's double-slaying trial delayed

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - A northern Illinois man’s murder trial is being postponed from March until May 27.

Fifty-four-year-old Billy Varner is accused of first-degree murder for the deaths of his wife, Peggy Henderson, and his mother, Dorothy Varner. Their bodies were discovered Oct. 28 in Lake County.

Prosecutors say Henderson was nearly decapitated with a machete. They say Dorothy Varner was suffocated two days later after she became suspicious.

The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports (https://bit.ly/1avkuUk ) prosecutors also got permission to get a DNA sample from Varner.

The Antioch man is in jailed without bond. His next court date is Feb. 25.

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Information from: Daily Herald, https://www.dailyherald.com