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Judge Rules on Restraint Issues During Sheley Trial
FIRST REPORTED 3:00pm 8/24/11 We now know how the jury is going to see accused spree killer Nicholas Sheley when his Knox County trial starts next week.

That was a focus of a hearing Thursday afternoon in Knox County Circuit Court. Defense attorney Jeremy Karlin told Judge James Stewart says a number of issues regarding Sheley's custody during trial, and how he would be restrained.

Karlin says Sheley will be in street clothes he's purchased for his client, he won't be shackled above the waist, a stun belt will be worn by Sheley, and plain-clothes Department of Corrections guards will assist Knox County Courthouse personnel with security.

Stewart says he doesn't have a problem with that, but that Sheley also won't be shackled below the waist either, while in sight of the jury.

That was an alternative that had been suggested. But Stewart didn't like that because it wouldn't allow him to move very well, or take part in any potential sidebar conversations during the trial.

Jury selection in Sheley's case -- where he faces around a dozen-and-a-half murder and other felony charges -- starts Monday is expected to take at least a week. Well over a hundred potential jurors will start by filling out lengthy questionnaires before they are essentially interviewed then whittled down to maybe 12 jurors and about 6 or more alternates.

Sheley allegedly killed 65-year old Ronald Randall as part of a two-state killing spree.


(Nicholas Sheley. Illinois Department of Corrections.)
08 25 11 by Newsroom
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