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Last updated on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
(PAOLI) - Adjourned Jurors will start deliberating Thursday in Orange County Circuit court to determine the fate of 24-year-old Sterlen Shane Keller, of Salem.
Keller is accused of killing 79-year-old Robert Collier October 9, 2010, at Collier's home in rural Orleans.
Also charge with the crime is 20-year-old Marvin Noland, of Pekin.
Orange Circuit Court Judge Larry Blanton told jurors not to report today and that court would resume at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
Jurors will hear the attorneys' closing statements and final instructions before being handed the case.
Orange County Prosecutor Kelly Minton says Keller strangled Collier for financial gain.
Defense attorney Nick Herthel submitted medical evidence Tuesday that supports that Keller's physical limitation developed after an ATV accident limits his physical abilities thus making him unable to have the strength to strangle someone.
In earlier testimony, Dr. Tracey Corey, the forensic pathologist who conducted Collier's autopsy, said her finding was "consistent with homicide by undetermined means."
However Dr. George Nichols, a forensic pathologist, who was called by the defense, testified there is insufficient evidence to rule on cause of death and with Collier's medical history he could have died from a heart attack, stroke, or complications from uncontrolled diabetes.
Keller faces other charges related to Collier's death, including auto theft, theft, burglary and failure to report a dead body.
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