Sheley changes his mind about guilty plea

GALESBURG – Nicholas T. Sheley shocked a packed court room this morning when he changed his mind about pleading guilty in the death of a 65-year-old Galesburg man.

Defense attorney Jeremy Karlin told Knox County Judge James Stewart that the 30-year-old Sterling man would not plead guilty in the death of Ronald Randall at this time.

No reason was given for the change.

Prosecutors say Sheley encountered Randall at a car wash on June 28, 2008, killed him, stole his wallet and truck, and then left his body behind a grocery store.

Sheley faces the death penalty if convicted.

Stewart denied Sheley's motion to move the trial out of Knox County.

For the complete story see SV Weekend on Saturday.