Man charged in 8 deaths says he aided own capture

GALESBURG -- The man charged with killing eight people during a two-state June rampage said in a jailhouse interview Tuesday that he cooperated in his arrest because his family feared he'd be killed if a manhunt continued.

Speaking out for the first time, Nicholas Sheley told The Associated Press he cooperated in the July 1 capture outside a bar in the Metro East community of Granite City because he wanted a quick trial.

Sheley, who was arrested as he smoked a cigarette outside the bar, said he knew he was the subject of a manhunt because he'd seen newspaper accounts of the case and had talked to his family.

"I played a part in my capture," Sheley said from behind a glass window the Knox County Jail, where he wore an orange prison jumpsuit and had a mustache and goatee. "Not only that but it was also concerns for my family. They were stressed out and worried and concerned over the fact that the police might want to kill me."

Sheley's charged with bludgeoning to death six people in Illinois and two people in Missouri. He's in jail in Knox County, Illinois, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in one slaying.

He held many papers and handwritten notes, including a Federal Express envelope, as he talked. He said he decided to talk to a reporter because he wants a speedy trial and he feels that he won't happen.

Sheley criticized his public defenders, saying he hasn't told them anything about the case.

"My belief in the system, like I said, it's crooked," Sheley said. "The public defender is appointed by a judge who works for the state of Illinois. The public defender is getting paid by the state."

Jim Harrell, one of Sheley's attorneys, said Tuesday that the defense agreed in court Friday to file a motion requesting Sheley undergo a psychiatric examination. That motion hasn't yet been filed, but would be soon, he said.

"I can't comment on the reasoning behind the motion," Harrell said. "I am bound by attorney-client privilege. I'm bound from discussing conversations that are held individually or with the other co-counsel with Mr. Sheley."

Sheley said he thinks the motion is an effort to delay his case.

"You might say finding me fit is best ... but they just use this to buy more time," he said.

Sheley is charged in the deaths of Kenneth Ulve, 25, Brock Branson, 29, Branson's fiancee, Kilynna Blake, 20, and her 2-year-old son, Dayan Blake. They were found in a Rock Falls apartment June 30. The town is in Whiteside County community in northwestern Illinois.

Sheley also is charged in the June deaths of a 93-year-old Russell Reed of Sterling, 65-year-old Ronald Randall of Galesburg, and Tom and Jill Estes, an Arkansas couple who were killed in Missouri.

Prosecutors in Knox County are seeking the death penalty in Randall's slaying.

Sheley wouldn't discuss any of the victims in the case or why he feels he's being set up.

"This is my case," Sheley said. "The way I want to go about it is my only concern. I don't want an adequate defense," Sheley said. "I want above and beyond the best defense."