Killing spree suspect being held in jail near St. Louis

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A man suspected in a killing spree that left eight people in two states dead is being held near St. Louis until authorities from western Illinois can pick him up.

Nicholas Sheley appeared via a video feed from the Madison County Jail at an afternoon court hearing that lasted fewer than five minutes.

Madison County Judge Edward Ferguson read Sheley the first-degree murder and other charges filed against him in Knox County, Ill. The judge then ordered Sheley held until Knox County authorities could pick him up.

Knox County prosecutors accuse Sheley of fatally beating 65-year-old Ronald Randall on the head with an unspecified blunt instrument.

Sheley also is charged in the death of a Sterling, Ill., man, and authorities have named him a suspect in four killings in Rock Falls, Ill., and two in Missouri.