Kodi Lafore is escorted from the courtroom by Randolph County Sheriff’s Department deputies following a preliminary hearing March 6 at the Randolph County Courthouse. (North County News photo)

A brief case management hearing took place Aug. 1 at the Randolph County Courthouse in Chester for a Waterloo man accused of second degree murder.

Kodi Lafore, 23, of Waterloo, was charged earlier this year with both involuntary manslaughter and second degree murder following an incident that took place Jan. 6 in rural Red Bud, where Adam Sesto, 36, of Red Bud received a fatal stab wound.

Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker told the North County News that Lafore did not accept a proposed plea offer in this case prior to last week’s hearing.

Lafore’s defense attorney, Justin Kuehn, also filed a motion to withdraw from the case. 

Judge Dennis Doyle said the trial date is set for Oct. 22, and he expects Lafore to have his new attorney, once selected, “up to speed” by then.

When Lafore was arrested Jan. 7, he was only charged with involuntary manslaughter. He posted bond and was released the next day. On Feb. 15, the charge of second degree murder was added and Walker unsuccessfully submitted a petition to increase Lafore’s bond amount to $75,000. A stipulation was added though that Lafore could not possess a knife.

Involuntary manslaughter is a Class 3 felony, which while eligible for probation, can carry a sentence of two to five years in prison. Second degree murder is a Class 1 felony, and while it is also eligible for probation, it can carry a sentence of 4-15 years in prison.