By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com
Nicholas Sheley is guilty of brutally killing an elderly
sterling man.
After about three hours of closing arguments, it took the
jury just a little over two hours to come to a decision today.
Prosecutor Michael Atterberry started the day with an
overview of all the evidence, and painted a picture of Sheley as taking advantage
of a generous elderly man, 93 year old Russell Reed.
Sheley's attorney, Jeremy Karlin, then tried to convince the
jury there was little scientific proof behind the evidence, mainly blood
spatter and D.N.A.
They also questioned the credibility of some of the
witnesses.
But it wasn't enough to sway the jury.
After a rebuttal from the prosecution, the jury deliberated,
and eventually, came up with their guilty verdict.
"Our job of course was to present the evidence that was
collected by the law enforcement and to seek justice for the family of Russell
Reed, it's good to have this conviction," said Gary Spencer, the Whiteside County State's
Attorney.
Sheley's sentencing is set for January 16th.
He still awaits trials for 6 other alleged murders in Illinois and Missouri.
