Charges dropped against Gaege Bethune, but case isn’t over

MUPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - Charges against Gaege Bethune in connection to the death of Pravin Varughese have officially been dismissed.

Bethune was in court in Murphysboro at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23.

The judge granted the state’s filing to dismiss “The People vs. Bethune.”

But the investigation is not over.

The special prosecutor asked for the murder charges to be dropped, but said he's still “persuing justice.”

The Varughese family has been traveling back and forth from Chicago to Carbondale and says they’ll keep doing it if there is another trial.

"I have really deep roots here now," said Verughese's mother, Lovely. "A lot of people message me and I never knew people could love you so much."

"We have a lot of fish to fry in the mean time and there's no statute limitations on murder," said Special Prosecutor David Robinson.

“We are all very hopeful that this should be the end of sad ordeal for everyone involved,” Defense Attorney Liam Kelly.

The defense’s motion to refund the bond proceeds to defendant’s attorney also was granted. That money will be returned to the attorneys.

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