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Sheley indicted by Knox County grand jury

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By Steven Martens | Monday, July 28, 2008 |

GALESBURG, Ill. — A Knox County grand jury handed down a 17-count indictment against a Sterling man authorities believe beat eight people to death in a week-long killing spree.

Nicholas T. Sheley, 28, was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking, one count of armed robbery, one count of robbery and one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office said.

All of the counts unsealed Monday are related to the death of Ronald Randall of Galesburg, whose body was found June 30 behind a Galesburg grocery store. His blood-soaked pickup truck was later found in St. Louis and linked to Sheley.

According to the indictment, Sheley allegedly hijacked the 65-year-old’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup on June 28, kidnapped Randall and stole his wallet before beating him in the head with a blunt instrument. The indictment didn’t specify what was used to kill Randall, who was from Galesburg.

The grand jury indictments will supercede the previous charges filed against Sheley in Knox County. He is being held in the Knox County Jail.

Judge Steven Bordner also raised Sheley’s bail to $10 million, up from $1 million.

Knox County State’s Attorney John T. Pepmeyer declined comment after Sheley’s court appearance, but said in a news release that he and the Illinois attorney general’s office, which is assisting in Sheley’s prosecution, haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty. The state’s attorney has 120 days to file notice of whether to seek the death penalty.

Sheley’s attorney, public defender James Harrell, also declined comment.

Sheley, closely watched in the courtroom Monday by a black-gloved bailiff, shifted frequently in his seat, jingling the chains that bound his feet and hands. He spoke only briefly, exchanging whispers with Harrell.

A woman who identified herself only as a relative of Randall watched Monday’s hearing from the small, crowded gallery. She declined comment.

Sheley is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignments Aug. 6.

Sheley also has been charged with the slayings of Russell Reed, 93, of rural Sterling, whose body was found June 26 in the truck of his own car in Sterling, and Jill and Tom Estes of Sherwood, Ark., whose bodies were found June 30 in Festus, Mo. Sheley was captured July 1 in Granite City, Ill., near St. Louis.

He also is a suspect in the deaths of four people who were found dead June 30 in a Rock Falls apartment. He has not been charged in those deaths.

(This story includes reports from the Associated Press.)

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.