Web Exclusive: "Crime and Punishment", part 4

Note to readers: This is the last in a four-part series of stories examining the criminal past of accused spree killer Nicholas Sheley. Despite his history of violent crimes, criminal charges against him often were reduced or dropped entirely - sometimes for no apparent reason. State's Attorney Gary Spencer, who is responsible for criminal prosecution in Whiteside County, did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on this story. STERLING - It has become cliche for the neighbors of people charged with heinous acts of violence to stand in front of television cameras and talk about how they never expected the suspect was capable of such a thing because he was quiet, and kept to himself. Nicholas T. Sheley was anything but quiet. Even befor