PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A St. Louis man is expected to stand trial Tuesday for a deadly attack on a retired Peoria surgeon three years ago.
Robert Ely, 57, faces charges of first-degree murder, residential burglary and theft in connection with the Jan. 5, 2021, death of 92-year-old William Marshall. Prosecutors have alleged he’s part of a criminal ring that travels around the region targeting the elderly.
St. Louis man’s trial for stabbing a former Peoria surgeon moved to FebruaryAt a news conference in June 2021 when Ely was charged, State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos said authorities found a St. Louis area storage locker that had items including valuable pieces of art from the Marshall home. That storage unit had ties to Ely, she said.
WATCH: State’s attorney Jodi Hoos and PPD hold press conference regarding arrest and charge of Robert ElyMarshall was stabbed several times and had defensive wounds on his body, which Hoos said two years ago indicated he was trying to fend off his assailant. Marshall was found in the basement of his house, located in the 500 block of East High Point Place.
Jury selection is expected to begin Tuesday and the trial could last the rest of the week. If convicted, Ely faces decades behind bars.
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