Claude R. Shinall, 25, right, confers with Knox County Public Defender David Hansen during Shinall’s arraignment hearing today at the Knox County Courthouse. STEVE DAVIS/The Register-Mail
Claude R. Shinall, 25, right, confers with Knox County Public Defender David Hansen during Shinall’s arraignment hearing today at the Knox County Courthouse. STEVE DAVIS/The Register-Mail
A former nursing home employee accused of punching and choking a resident under the care of his ex-employer pleaded not guilty to aggravated battery today.
Claude R. Shinall of Galesburg appeared today in Knox County Circuit Court alongside his attorney, Chief Public Defender Dave Hansen. On behalf of his client, Hansen entered a plea of not guilty and demand for jury trial.
Judge Scott Shipplett put the 25-year-old defendant’s case on the February jury calendar with a Feb. 1 pretrial conference.
Galesburg police said Shinall was arrested last month following allegations that a 70-year-old victim had been attacked in October at Marigold Rehabilitation and Health Care. Shinall was identified as the assailant.
Following a November 24th hearing, during which Judge Thomas Ewing denied a request to reduce Shinall’s bond from $150,000, State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer said the victim died after being moved to a Monmouth nursing home.
Pepmeyer said additional charges will be considered once the victim’s autopsy results are known.
Shinall faces one count of aggravated battery to a senior citizen, worth up to 10 years in prison. He remains in the Knox County jail.
