Shelbyville man pleads guilty to murder of pregnant girlfriend

SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — A man charged in the murder of his pregnant girlfriend in 2019 has pleaded guilty in Shelby County court.

Deven Barger pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter of a family member, and aggravated battery of a corrections officer. He has been sentenced to 48 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed under the law according to the Shelby County State's Attorney.

On July 8, 2019, Barger shot his pregnant girlfriend Samantha Cushing at a home in Shelbyville, and led police on a multi-county chase with his 3-year-old child in the car. The chase ended in Taylorville.

He was arrested following the chase and has been in custody since then.

"While no sentence could ever be sufficient when an individual takes the life of another, I am hopeful that finally bringing this matter to a close will provide the family and community with the first step towards healing," stated state's attorney Ruth Woolery.