Court Call: Sheley to appear on change-of-venue motion
Knox County
Friday
Nicholas Sheley, 30, of Sterling; charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated vehicular kidnapping, armed robbery, robbery, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle in the death of Ronald Randall, 65, of Galesburg, who was killed in late June 2008.
On the docket: Change-of-venue hearing. His attorneys argue that intense and inflammatory media coverage has made it impossible for Sheley to receive a fair trial in Knox County. At a hearing last month, Sheley said he wanted to plead guilty to Randall’s death. That issue is also is expected to be addressed.
Lee County
Wednesday
Sheri Thompson, 45, of Amboy; charged with two felony counts of cruel treatment to animals, and five counts of violation of owner’s duties and operating a kennel without a license, a misdemeanor.
On the docket: Preliminary hearing, in which evidence is presented to the judge to determine if there is enough to justify a trial. Defendants may choose to waive the proceeding.
Thursday
Daniel Chirchirillo, 18, of Sublette; charged with seven counts of burglary for allegedly breaking into several businesses in Sublette and rural Amboy from April to July.
On the docket: Pretrial conference.
Dylan Green, 17, of Polo; charged with residential burglary, two counts of burglary, criminal damage to property, and two counts of criminal trespass to motor vehicle. According to police, Green and two other men allegedly went on a one-night crime spree in northeast Dixon on Sept. 26, breaking into five to 10 homes and about 10 vehicles.
On the docket: Pretrial conference.
Kaylyn Gideon, 21, of Ashton; charged with obstructing justice for allegedly giving Eric Lemons cleaning supplies to clean up around the body of Todd Harn on April 5.
On the docket: Pretrial conference.
Joseph Jones, 35, of Dixon; charged with two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church, delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for allegedly selling cocaine to a police informant in February and again in March.
On the docket: Pretrial conference.
Eric Lemons, 28 of Ashton; charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder in the bludgeoning death of Todd E. Harn, 28, of Ashton on April 5.
On the docket: Pretrial conference, at which the judge and attorneys likely will discuss matters concerning the case and set a trial schedule.
Patrick M. Linscott, 20, of Dixon; charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession without a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, unlawful possession of 10 to 30 grams of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of ammunition without a FOID card, unlawful possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police arrested Linscott Wednesday after allegedly finding a firearm in his apartment, along with 30 grams of marijuana and a smoking pipe. Linscott is a convicted felon.
On the docket: Pretrial conference.
Friday
Daniel Garza, 25, of Amboy; charged with criminal sexual abuse, home invasion, aggravated battery, resisting or obstructing a peace office and unlawful possession of cannabis. He allegedly broke into a woman’s house, fondled her, then got into a scuffle with police in late June.
On the docket: Pretrial conference.
Whiteside County
Wednesday
Julie Baeza, 50, of Sterling; charged with one count of theft of between $10,000 and $100,00, three counts of forgery and one count of computer fraud. The now former secretary and bookkeeper for the Greater Sterling Development Corp. allegedly stole thousands from the agency.
On the docket: Plea.
Cousins Jerry Jones, 41, and Scott Jones, 36, both of Sterling; charged with armed violence for allegedly stabbing two Rock Falls men during an alcohol-fueled fight on Oct. 22.
On the docket: Pleas.
Jonathan Payne, 31, of Sterling; charged with attempted escape, possession of a weapon by a felon, aggravated battery and two counts of criminal damage to government-supported property. Payne allegedly made a shank from a broken plastic breakfast tray, pushed past an officer and tried to escape from the Whitesidese County Jail.
On the docket: Plea.
Mika Peregrine, 19, of Sterling; charged with armed robbery; Tyler Shaw-Sodaro, 18, of Sterling; charged with armed robbery; and Ian Vanstockum, 23, of Sterling; charged with armed robbery and aggravated battery. Police say they attacked a pizza delivery man in late October and took an undisclosed amount of cash and a large pizza.
On the docket: Pleas.
Friday
Merle Stage, 47, of Fulton; charged with possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (more than 5,000 grams), which police found during a traffic stop in May 2007.
On the docket: Motion to suppress statements. His attorney is arguing that Stage was high on mushrooms when he spoke with investigators in May 2007 and he “could not knowingly and rationally waive his right” against self-incrimination.
