Elizabeth woman sentenced to life in prison for homicide

An area woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the death of her husband’s grandmother. 31-year-old Shannon C. Bussan of Elizabeth, Ill., received the mandatory life sentence Monday at a sentencing hearing held at the Lafayette County Courthouse. Per her sentence from Judge Mario White, she will be eligible for extended release after 22 years. That finding does not guarantee an early release, but Bussan will be eligible to petition the court to review her sentence at that time. A panel of Lafayette County jurors last month convicted Bussan of first-degree intentional homicide for the death of her husband’s grandmother 83-year-old Lynne I. Montgomery of Benton. The trial included testimony from 31 witnesses, and jurors deliberated for four hours before reaching a verdict. Per state statute, Bussan has 20 days to file a written notice of appeal if she would like to challenge her conviction or sentence.