Nicholas Sheley has received another life sentence. He was sentenced for the murder of 93-year-old Russell Reed in a Whiteside County courtroom Wednesday morning, January 16, 2013.
In addition, Sheley received another 30 years for home invasion charges and 15 years for residential burglary.
Before sentencing, two family members presented statements to Nicholas Sheley in court.
Bonnie Reed is Russell Reed's daughter-in-law. She stood at the witness stand and made an emotional statement, referring to the night of Russell Reed's murder and Sheley's alleged drug problem at the time the murder occurred.
Russell Reed's grand daughter also wrote a letter to Sheley which former state's attorney Gary Spencer read out loud to the court.
Family members say this sentencing has been a long time coming and they are starting feel closure.
"Just having the trial over was what pretty much closed it out for me. this is just putting the final stamp on it," said Reed's son, Donald.
A jury deliberated only two hours on November 6, 2013 before finding Sheley guilty of first degree murder.
Sheley is already serving a life sentence for the murder of a Galesburg man. He will be tried next for the deaths of four people in Rock Falls. The trial is set to begin on June 3, 2013.
