AG Madigan, State's Attorney Joyce: Sheley convicted on four counts of first-degree murder

[May 31, 2014]  CHICAGO - Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Whiteside County State’s Attorney Trish Joyce today praised a Rock Island County jury for finding Nicholas T. Sheley guilty of the murder of 29-year-old Brock Branson; 20-year-old Kilynna Blake; her son, 2-year-old Dayan; and 25-year-old Kenneth Ulve in Rock Falls, Ill. Sheley was found guilty on four counts of first-degree murder. His sentencing is set for August 11.

These are the latest convictions against Sheley, who Madigan’s office previously secured convictions against for two other murders that occurred during a seven-day crime spree that left six people dead in Illinois and two in Missouri. Sheley is currently serving life sentences for the slayings of Ronald Randall, 65, of Galesburg and Russell Reed, 93, of Sterling.

 

In response to today’s conviction, Attorney General Madigan made the following statement:

 

“Justice has been a long time coming for the family and friends of the victims. I can only hope that this verdict brings them some closure. I thank the members of the jury for their service, and I commend the prosecutors for their hard work and relentless commitment to bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”

 

Whiteside County State’s Attorney Joyce added:

 

“The families of these victims have waited over five years for justice in this case. All of the attorneys who worked on the case throughout that lengthy period of time have come to know the families and the other witnesses well, and we thank them for their patience and support throughout this long and arduous process. My thanks go out to all of the law enforcement officers and agencies, the civilian witnesses, and to the Attorney General and the Criminal Prosecutions & Trial Assistance Bureau of the Attorney General’s office, without whose involvement justice would not have been achieved.”

 

State’s Attorney Joyce requested the assistance of Attorney General Madigan's office in prosecuting Sheley. Working with State's Attorney Joyce, Assistant Attorneys General Bill Elward and Steven Nate handled the case for Madigan's Criminal Enforcement Division.

[Text received; THE OFFICE OF ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN]