Trial Date Set For Woman Accused of Killing Her Grandmother-in-Law

A trial date has been set for an area woman accused of killing her grandmother-in-law. 30 year old Shannon Bussan of Elizabeth, Illinois, is charged in Lafayette County Circuit Court with first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the 2023 death of 83 year old Lynne Montgomery of Benton. Bussan has pleaded not guilty. Her trial now is set to start November 4 at the Lafayette County Courthouse with a final pretrial conference scheduled for August 16th. Reports say that law enforcement was called to Montgomery’s residence Feb. 27, 2023, after Bussan called 911 to report Montgomery falling. Montgomery later was pronounced dead at a Dubuque hospital. A report says Montgomery’s family called law enforcement Feb. 28 after finding notes in what appeared to be Montgomery’s handwriting stating, “Help Shannon is hurting me” and, “She dragged me from the basement to try and get in my safe.” A search of Bussan’s phone found an email draft created on Feb. 28 with the correct combination to the safe.