Venue Hearing Set For Illinois Man’s Missouri Murder Trial

A change of venue hearing is scheduled next month for a 36-year-old Illinois man who could face the death penalty if convicted in the deaths of an Arkansas couple in Missouri.

In his request to move his murder trial to another place in Missouri, Nicholas Sheley said he can't get a fair trial in Jefferson County south of St. Louis, where prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he's convicted in the killings of Jill and Tom Estes of Sherwood, Arkansas. Police say the couple was attacked outside a Festus hotel after leaving a 2008 graduation party.

The hearing on his request for a venue change is scheduled for Nov. 13.

Sheley already is serving life sentences for six slayings in Illinois, where he also requested venue changes.