Man accused of killing pregnant girlfriend in Shelbyville expected to accept plea deal

SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - The man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend in Shelbyville in 2019 is expected to accept a plea deal.

WAND News has learned Deven Barger, whose jury trial was set to begin Monday, is expected to accept a plea deal, according to court records. Records show the plea is now set to be heard in court Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Barger was initially charged with first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child in connection to the deaths of 22-year-old Samantha Cushing and her unborn child.

Illinois State Police said that Barger shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend on July 8, 2019, at a home in Shelbyville. After the shooting, he led police on a multi-county chase with his 3-year-old child in the car. Barger's chase ended in Taylorville east of Illinois State Route 48.