Man suspected in 8 slayings pleads not guilty

updated 2:16 p.m. ET Aug. 6, 2008

GALESBURG, Ill. - A man suspected of a June killing spree that left eight people dead in Illinois and Missouri pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to one of the Illinois slayings.

Nicholas Sheley also demanded a jury trial during his arraignment in Knox County court in western Illinois.

Sheley is charged with kidnapping 65-year-old Ronald Randall, hijacking his truck, stealing his wallet and killing him on June 28 in the town of Galesburg.

The Knox County state's attorney's office wouldn't comment on when a decision might be made on whether to seek the death penalty.

Police suspect Sheley also bludgeoned seven other people to death in Illinois and Missouri in late June. He's been charged in three of those deaths.

A pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 6.

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