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Wife takes witness stand in husband's murder trial

By WEEK Reporter
October 30, 2012 Updated Oct 31, 2012 at 9:55 AM CDT

MORRISON, Ill -- In the Nicholas Sheley murder trial in Whiteside County, Sheley's wife took the witness stand.

Holly Sheley said her husband was familiar with 93-year-old Russell Reed, who was murdered in June of 2008.

Nicholas Sheley had picked up scrap metal from Reed's Sterling, Illinois farm at least three times. On the day Reed disappeared, Holly Sheley said her husband bought liquor.

Nicholas Sheley was called "a violent drunk" by his wife, who said he turned to cocaine and other drugs when he drank.

Sheley's attorney  Jeremy Karlin objected to that testimony, pointing out Holly Sheley is facing charges of heroin distribution.

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