Former EMT accused of killing patient pleads guilty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - One of the former EMT's accused of killing Earl Moore Jr. in 2022 pleaded guilty in court Friday morning.

Peter Cadigan pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He was facing a first-degree murder charge.

Peggy Finley & Peter Cadigan — Peter Cadigan and Peggy Finley

Cadigan and Peggy Finley were arrested in January 2023 for the murder of Moore Jr. The now-former Lifestar Ambulance EMTs are accused of strapping Moore face-down on a stretcher, resulting in his death.

An autopsy determined Moore Jr. died from compressional and positional asphyxia caused by being restrained in a prone position. Springfield Police body-camera footage captured interactions between the EMTs and Moore Jr. in December 2022 is among the evidence in the case.

The two were expected to be tried together, but a judged ruled in January their cases would be separated. Cadigan was scheduled to go to trial May 11. Finley is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 22.

Both previously pleaded not guilty to Moore Jr.'s death.

Cadigan's sentencing is scheduled for June 23. He faces 2 to 5 years in prison, but is eligible for credit of time served. The sentencing could also include probation.