Sheley coming to 
Whiteside: Hearing will determine whether suspect may testify for his brother

MORRISON – It’s been more than a year since Nicholas T. Sheley set foot in a Whiteside County courtroom.

Thursday, the 30-year-old Sterling man will find himself back in the all-too-familiar setting – not to answer to charges in the death of a Sterling man, but to determine whether he is competent to testify at the upcoming bench trial of his brother, Joshua.

The hearing is expected to last 2 days.

Joshua Sheley, 31, of Rock Falls, is charged with concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice for allegedly helping his brother hide the death of Russell Reed, 93, in late June 2008.

His bench trial begins Nov. 3.

Nicholas Sheley is charged in Reed’s death and in the deaths of Ronald Randall, 65, of Galesburg, four people killed in a Rock Falls apartment, and an Arkansas couple in Festus, Mo.

Joshua Sheley’s attorney, Janet Buttron, issued a subpoena Sept. 10 seeking to have Nicholas Sheley testify at his brother’s trial.

Nick Sheley’s attorney, Jeremy Karlin, filed a motion to intervene and a motion to quash the subpoena, arguing that his client is not competent to knowingly waive his right to remain silent.

Thursday’s hearing will center on contradictory psychological reports by forensic neuropsychologist Robert Hanlon of Chicago and Springfield-based forensic psychologist Terry Killian.

Both doctors evaluated Nick Sheley last year for his capital murder case in Knox County. At the time, he wanted to fire his appointed attorneys and represent himself.