April 28, 2024
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Trial postponed in fatal Ottawa shooting

Woman to undergo mental health exam, this time for sanity

By Tom Collins
Chastity Furar appears before judge Cynthia Raccuglia during a hearing in the La Salle County Governmental Complex courtroom on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Ottawa. Furar and Nicolaus Phillips of Spring Valley are charged in the shooting death of Eric Clements of Ottawa. Clements was killed on June 5th after being shot in the chest, allegedly by Phillips.

Chastity Furar, 21, of Spring Valley (also listed in Ottawa) appeared Wednesday in La Salle County Circuit Court for a final pretrial conference ahead of a Sept. 11 trial for first-degree murder. (Scott Anderson)

The alleged getaway driver in an Ottawa shooting death will not stand trial for murder Monday, and there’s a good chance the alleged shooter won’t face a jury this month either.

Chastity Furar, 21, of Spring Valley (also listed in Ottawa) appeared Wednesday in La Salle County Circuit Court for a final pretrial conference ahead of a Sept. 11 trial for first-degree murder.

Although Furar isn’t charged with firing the June 5 shot that killed Eric Clements of Ottawa, Furar would face an extended term up to 75 years if a jury finds that she drove to and from the crime scene and supplied the weapon.

On Wednesday, however, Furar waived her right to a speedy trial so that her lawyer, Ottawa defense attorney Karen Donnelly, can have her evaluated for sanity.

Furar previously underwent a mental health evaluation for fitness, the ability to assist one’s lawyer at trial, and was pronounced fit. The question at hand is whether Furar was sane at the time of the Clements shooting.

Donnelly requested an evaluation by Dr. Anna Stapleton and asked for La Salle County to pay for it. Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia agreed with two stipulations. First, Furar will have to complete an affidavit of assets and liabilities showing she lacks the funds. Second, the judge wants an estimate on the evaluation before giving her the OK.

Furar will be back in court for a status hearing Oct. 11.

Meanwhile, the alleged shooter will appear Thursday, and there is a strong probability he will waive his speedy trial rights, too.

Nicolaus Phillips, 24, of Spring Valley is set to appear for a motions hearing on his pending murder charge – he faces up to 85 years – and remains set for trial Sept. 18.

Phillips will appear Thursday with the public defender appointed only 27 days ago. Phillips had been representing himself and is likely to request more time to prepare for trial.