Peoria Standard

April 25, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, Robert Ely, 57, was sentenced to 99 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after being convicted in February of First Degree Murder, Residential Burglary, and Theft for killing 92-year-old Dr. William Marshall, a well-known local surgeon. Dr. Marshall was found stabbed to death in his home on the morning of January 6, 2021, by a home healthcare worker. Several valuable paintings, estimated to be worth over $200,000, were also missing.

During the sentencing hearing, Dr. Marshall's children shared the effects of this loss not just on their family but also on the community. Dr. Marshall had a career spanning decades, including a 34-year private practice in Peoria, treating many patients in the area and mentoring future medical professionals. Not only was he a gifted doctor and loving father, husband, and grandfather, but he was also a Navy Veteran and man who extended kindness to all who knew and encountered him. Through tears and a broken voice, one of Dr. Marshall’s sons said, “The murder of their father has caused terror, grief, and heartache.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Deb Shelby called Ely a predator who preys upon the elderly and has a criminal history dating back to 1984 with convictions for felony theft and burglary, resulting in multiple stays in prison. Per statute, Ely will have to serve 100% of this sentence.

Chief Judge Katherine Gorman sentenced Ely to 15 years on the theft charge to be served at the same time as the murder sentence.