Court: Illinois judge's trial nap doesn't warrant retrial

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Updated 8:02 pm, Wednesday, November 8, 2017

OTTAWA, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois appeals court has ruled that a judge falling asleep during a murder trial doesn't warrant a retrial of the defendant in the case.

The Illinois Appellate Court panel in Ottawa said Whiteside County Judge Jeffrey O'Connor's alleged nap was harmless as long as he wasn't sleeping during crucial evidence or motions during Nicholas Sheley's 2014 trial. Sheley was on trial for the murder of four people in Rock Falls in what was a murder spree that left six dead in Illinois and two in Missouri.

O'Connor allegedly fell asleep while the lights were dim and security camera footage was being played for the jury. O'Connor denied the allegations.

"If I was not looking at the video, that does not mean that I was not listening and hearing everything that was being said," said O'Connor.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Court-Illinois-judge-s-trial-nap-doesn-t-warrant-12341557.php

---

[Angry Dragon]

1. A Russian sleeper agent

[Sneederbunk]

2. Looks like Kislyak.

[murielm99]

3. Don't joke about him.

This guy is a meth head and a vicious murderer. He killed people with a hammer. He is barely human.

This happened only a few miles from me. I was alarmed when I heard about this trial judge. It is a serious matter, and Sheley has no business out in society. I know you don't mean real harm, but our entire area was rocked by the violence in this man.

[Angry Dragon]

4. I am sorry if I brought bad memories back---I was making a joke about the judge

[murielm99]

5. The judge really made me angry.

If he can't stay awake, he could call a brief recess. If this is a continuing problem for him, he should retire or do something about his sleeping habits.

[Angry Dragon]

6. He could have blockage in his arteries

not getting enough oxygen in his bloodstream
so when he is sitting and not engaged he might have a tendency to nod off