The Sheley Case: Alleged spree killer tops this year's stories

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A 6-day murder spree that began in Whiteside County in late June was the biggest story to hit the Sauk Valley this year - and perhaps for decades past. When the body of a 93-year-old Sterling man was found in the trunk of his own car on June 26, a massive manhunt ensued for the chief suspect: Nicholas T. Sheley, a 29-year-old habitual criminal who had been in and out of jail his whole life. Sheley led police on a 6-day, two-state chase. Four days after Russell Reed's body was found, seven more bodies were found, all beaten to death, and all believed to have died at Sheley's hands, police say. In Galesburg, a 65-year-old man was found behind a local grocery store, and an Arkansas couple were found behind a gas station in Festus, Mo. The grisliest scene, though, was found here at home: four bodies - including that of a a 2-year-old boy, bludgeoned to death a Rock Falls apartment. During the killing spree, journalists stormed Sterling, eager to hear the latest news. Few residents were happy with the attention. "This type of media attention is not what we want for Sterling," Mayor Amy Viering said in July. "This is not what happens in Sterling, and to be put in front of the national media, it's just a shame. It's not the type of thing that usually happens here." After the Rock Falls bodies were found, county law enforcement was flooded with calls from terrified citizens and reports of Sheley sightings. He was captured July 1 outside a bar near St. Louis. An outraged community held a candlelight vigil July 10 for Reed; Brock Branson, 29; Kenneth Ulve, 25; Kilynna Blake, 20; and her son, Dayan Blake, 2, all of Rock Falls; Ronald Randall, 65, of Galesburg; and Arkansas couple Jill and Tom Estes, both 54. A bikers' peace picnic in September also brought together families and friends of the local victims. Their deaths posed many questions. Sheley was awaiting trial in a 2007 home invasion case when the killings occurred. Many wondered why a man with such an extensive and violent criminal history was free on bond. Whiteside County State's Attorney Gary Spencer declined to comment, citing ethical obligations. Sheley is still in Knox County, awaiting a judge's decision on whether he can fire his court-appointed attorneys and represent himself in the Randall case, in which he faces the death penalty. Locals want to know if, and when, he will be tried in Whiteside County. New Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi said there is no doubt Sheley will be returned to the county. "I know people would love to see him brought up here and arraigned on charges," Wilhelmi said in September. "The bottom line is, he is in custody and charged in Knox County. The people haven't forgotten about him here. ... It will happen." Timeline June 14 Nicholas T. Sheley, 29, allegedly pushes his way into the home of a 90-year-old Sterling woman, forces her to write checks and takes cash, police said. June 23 A $750,000 warrant is issued for Sheley's arrest. He already is out on bond in a prior home invasion case. June 26 8 a.m.: A missing person's report is made when family can't find Russell R. Reed, 93, or his car at his home on Blue Goose Road west of Sterling. Whiteside County Sheriff's deputies arrive at the home and find a car registered to Sheley. 3 p.m.: Reed's car is found at 1732 Griswold Ave. in Sterling; his body is in the trunk. The Griswold Avenue home and one at Second Street and Sixth Avenue are searched, but Sheley is not found. Early evening: An off-duty Rock Falls police officer spots Sheley in a Lincoln Continental. About an hour later, the Rock Falls owner reports the car, cash and two handguns stolen. 9:45 p.m.: Dixon police spot Sheley on East River Street. He flees down Ravine Street, heads west on Second and out to Pump Factory Road. Officers lose sight of the car, then find it abandoned on Atkinson and Hicks roads south of Harmon. Sheley cannot be found. June 27 7 a.m.: A red 1999 Jeep Cherokee is reported stolen from a home. That evening: Sheley's brother, Josh, 31, is arrested during a traffic stop and held on $750,000 bond on an alleged parole violation. Police say he helped his brother hide Reed's car at the Griswold house, home of Josh Sheley's girlfriend, Jenna Henson, 20. The Sheleys and Henson allegedly drove to Chicago to throw away the shoes Nicholas Sheley was wearing when he supposedly beat Reed to death, police say. Henson also is arrested, posts $5,000 bond and is released. 10 p.m.: Eric A. Smith, 28, a Sheley cousin, turns himself in at the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department. He is alleged to have a Rohm .22-caliber revolver and ammunition police said Nicholas Sheley stole. June 29 9 p.m.: A tip that Sheley was sighted leads to a raid at an apartment at 610 E. Third St., Sterling, where his wife, Holly, supposedly lives. He is not there. June 30 10:30 a.m.: The bodies of Arkansas couple Jill and Tom Estes, both 54, are found behind a gas station in Festus, Mo. Noon: The body of Ronald Randall, 65, of Galesburg, is found behind a local grocery store. 4 p.m.: Rock Falls police get a call requesting officers check on the occupants at 1201 Ave. A, Apt. 5. Inside, they find the bodies of Brock Branson, 29; Kenneth Ulve, 25; Kilynna Blake, 20; and her son, Dayan Blake, 2. July 1 6:45 p.m.: A State Police officer spots Sheley in a parking lot in Granite City. He is arrested. July 3 That morning: Investigators find the stolen Cherokee in the Quad Cities. That afternoon: Sheley makes his first court appearance in Knox County Circuit Court, where he hears charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated vehicular hijacking and two counts of theft in relation to Randall's death. Bond is set at $1 million. July 10 Sheley is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in Jefferson County, Mo., in the Estes' deaths. July 16 Joshua Sheley, Smith, and Henson are indicted, Joshua Sheley on charges of concealing a homicidal death and obstructing justice, Henson on two counts of obstruction of justice and Smith on two counts of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon and being an armed habitual criminal. July 28 Sheley is indicted in Knox County on 10 counts of first-degree murder and seven counts involving other crimes in Randall's death. His bond is increased to $10 million. Aug. 1 Sheley is indicted in Whiteside County on 10 counts of first-degree murder, and four other counts, in Reed's death. He also is indicted on charges in the June 14 home invasion. Bond is $10 million and $2 million, respectively. Sept. 3 Knox County State's Attorney John Pepmeyer announces he will seek the death penalty in Randall's death. Sept. 11 Sheley tells Knox County Circuit Judge James Stewart that he is unhappy with his court-appointed attorneys, and that he is fit to stand trial. Sept. 18 Sheley is indicted on 15 counts of first-degree murder - three each for Branson, Ulve, and Kilynna Blake, and six in the death of Dayan Blake. Bond is set at $100 million. Sept. 19 Sheley submits a motion asking to be allowed to represent himself and dismiss his attorneys, whom he accused of filing needless motions, including one seeking a competency evaluation. Sept. 23 Sheley gives an interview to the Associated Press in which he says he cooperated in his arrest and criticizes his attorneys for making motions that delayed his trial. Sept. 24 Stewart issues a gag order, barring Sheley and all attorneys from speaking publicly about the case. Oct. 6 Springfield-based forensic psychiatrist Dr. Terry Killian is appointed to evaluate Sheley. Dec. 22 Stewart rules Sheley is fit to stand trial, but calls for arguments from both sides on whether he is fit to represent himself. The judge may appoint a third attorney to argue on Sheley's behalf. That hearing is pending. The victims Nicholas T. Sheley, 29, of Sterling, is indicted on 50 felony counts in the deaths of 8 people in Whiteside and Knox counties in Illinois, and in Jefferson County in Missouri. They are: • Russell R. Reed, 93, of Sterling, killed June 24 - 10 counts of first-degree murder; 1 each of residential burglary, armed robbery, robbery and home invasion. • Ronald A. Randall, 65, of Galesburg, killed June 28 - 10 counts first-degree murder, 2 counts each aggravated kidnapping and aggravated vehicular hijacking, 1 count each armed robbery, robbery and possession of a stolen car. • Brock Branson, 29, Kilynna Blake, 20, Dayan Blake, 2, Kenneth R. Ulve, 25, all of Rock Falls, killed June 28 - 3 counts of first-degree murder for each adult, 6 counts for the boy. • Jill and Tom Estes, both 54, of Sherwood, Ark., killed June 29 in Festus, Mo - 2 counts each of first-degree murder.