BLOOMINGTON - A McLean County judge will decide by the end of the week whether bond should be reduced for a Decatur man accused of murdering a toddler a year ago.

Judge Charles Reynard will rule on the request to lower the bond of Frank Byers III to $250,000 from $1 million.

Byers faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Aaron O'Brien-Ishmael of Bloomington. The child died in a Peoria hospital on Oct. 2, 2007, of head injuries due to blunt force trauma, according to charges.

Frank Byers III

The 20-month-old boy was taken to a local hospital with seizures. Byers, who recently had moved in with the child's mother, babysat the child the day of the incident, said prosecutors.

According to police, Byers said the child fell and struck his head on a coffee table.

Defense attorney Steve Skelton said Byers and his family are unable to raise $100,000, the amount required for his release on the $1 million bond.

Byers' father, Decatur lawyer Frank Byers II, testified Monday that his son lived with him after the child's death until charges were filed last month. He said he would make certain his son was in court for hearings if the family is allowed to post $25,000 needed for a $250,000 bond.

First Assistant State's Attorney Kim Campbell opposed the reduction, saying the 24-year-old suspect faces 100 years in prison if convicted of the murder. Byers' background as a former U.S. Marine with an active passport adds to the likelihood that he could flee, said Campbell.

Campbell said a minimum of $75,000 should be required for Byers' release from jail.

Byers knew for a year that police were investigating the death and did not leave the state, said Skelton.

Byers "has been fully aware that the other shoe could drop at any time," said Skelton.

An Oct. 31 status hearing is scheduled to determine the progress of the case.