Sheley asks to defend himself in new charges

GALESBURG -- The 29-year-old man charged with eight killings in Illinois and Missouri says he still wants to represent himself on new charges that he assaulted Knox County Jail employees.

Nicholas Sheley appeared via video conference in Knox County Circuit Court Monday on Monday with his public defender Jim Harrell.

The judge didn't immediately make a ruling on whether Sheley could act as his own attorney, saying an assault trial could affect the murder charges.

Sheley is scheduled to appear in court again on May 4.

He faces aggravated battery, criminal damage to government-supported property and aggravated assault. Authorities say Sheley allegedly hit a corrections officer and threw part of a metal chair at three other officers earlier this month.