After less than an hour of deliberations, a jury found Nicholas Sheley guilty on three counts Monday, September 19, 2011.
Sheley was found guilty in Knox County Court of first-degree murder, aggravated vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen car in connection with the death of 65-year-old Ronald Randall of Galesburg, Illinois. Randall was killed in June 2008.
After spending the duration of the trial wearing a stun device instead of restraints, Sheley was immediately shackled to the floor of the courtroom following the reading of the verdict.
The jury was then polled for the verdict.
Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation barring future executions when he simultaneously commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates in March 2011. That law means Sheley would also be spared the possibility of facing the death penalty.
Sentencing was scheduled for November 18, 2011 at 9 a.m.
Sheley is also charged in connection with the murder of 5 other Illinois residents and two people in Missouri.