Dress guidelines set for downstate murder trial

GALESBURG — A hearing in the case of an Illinois man accused of killing eight people in two states dealt with how the defendant will appear during his Knox County trial.

Nicholas Sheley has pleaded not guilty in the deaths of six people in Illinois and two in Missouri in June 2008. During a Thursday hearing, defense attorney Jeremy Karlin told Judge James Stewart Sheley will be in street clothes he’s purchased for his client.

Karlin also said Sheley won’t be shackled above the waist, but he will be wearing a stun belt.

WGIL in Galesburg also reports Stewart noted Sheley also won’t be shackled below the waist while in sight of the jury.

Jury selection begins Monday for Sheley’s first-degree murder trial in the death of 65-year-old Ronald Randall of Galesburg.