Alleged Murder Suspects Bound over to District Court

Shelley Casterline (41) and her 23 year old son Andrew Casterline  waived their rights to preliminary hearings in Webster County Court and were bound over to district court. They are being held without bond.       November 18th has been set for a district court arraignment.   The charges they are facing are (1) first-degree murder , (2) use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and (3) burglary. 
The prosecution intends to prove that on October 4th, Shelley Casterline and Andrew Casterline got into an argument with Virginia "Ginger"  Barone, 68, of Guide Rock in the victim's home.  The Casterlines lived next door to Barone.                
 Shelley Casterline told investigators that she became upset by comments Barone had made about her and her son, according to the arrest affidavit. It is alleged that Shelley Casterline stabbed Barone twice in the back and then 20 times in the torso.
   A neighbor called law enforcement to Barone's home for a welfare check and  Barone's lifeless body was discovered.     
 After killing Barone it is alleged that the  Casterlines  stole Barone's car, her money and her bank cards and left Guide Rock.
 Andrew was later arrested for driving under the influence in Cass County. His mother  bonded him out the following morning, and the two stole another vehicle.
    On Oct. 5, the Iowa State Patrol stopped Andrew and Shelley Casterline in the stolen vehicle near Newton, Iowa, and arrested them on suspicion of armed robbery in a Wal Mart parking lot in Newton.
A check of the vehicle revealed  clothing covered with blood stains and also a blood stained knife.  Arresting officers observed numerous cuts on Andrew Casterline's right hand and what appeared to be blood under his fingernails.
  Two Bank cards belonging to Barone had been used  at least 25 times to take money from her account after her death.             
      The Nebraska Attorney General's Office is assisting Webster County by acting as special prosecutor for this case.  The Barones will be represented by court appointed attorney's. 
Charles Brewster was appointed by Judge Michael Offner to represent Andrew Casterline. 
Brewster recently represented Peter Draper of Naponee who was convicted on charges of child abuse resulting in death.
 Shelley Casterline  will be represented by an attorney from Nebraska's  Commission on Public Advocacy.
     First-degree murder is a Class 1A felony punishable by life in prison. Use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony is a Class 2 felony punishable by up to 50 yeas in prison. Burglary and theft, value more than $1,500, are each a Class 3 felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. -