Mental evaluation may be months away for man accused of killing 8

GALESBURG, Ill. — Defense attorneys representing a man charged with killing eight people in Illinois and Missouri over the summer say an evaluation of his mental fitness may not be ready for two months.

At a hearing in Galesburg, Ill., attorney Jeremy Karlin said a doctor has only recently been appointed to evaluate Nicholas Sheley's competency. The report was initially due next week.

Sheley faces first-degree murder charges in the June deaths of eight people. The 29-year-old has pleaded not guilty.

Also Friday, prosecutors asked for documents related to an alleged jailhouse incident this week involving Sheley. Authorities declined to say what happened. Sheley already was accused of assaulting a jail inmate in July.