OTTAWA, Ill. — People of the State of Illinois v. Nicolaus J. Phillips and Chastity A. Furar. In June 2023, a targeted shooting in Ottawa, Illinois, claimed the life of Eric S. Clements, leading to the arrests of Nicolaus J. Phillips and Chastity A. Furar. Charged with first-degree murder, the co-defendants face allegations of a premeditated act driven by jealousy and personal ties. As their separate trials approach in 2026, legal battles over evidence and suppressed confessions shape a complex case that has gripped La Salle County.
By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink
Updated for Phillips on 8-6-2026 · Updated for Furar on 8-6-2026
The Incident & Initial Investigation
On the evening of June 5, 2023, Eric Clements, 42, was found unresponsive in the driveway of his residence in the 1000 block of Marcy Street, Ottawa, after being shot multiple times in the torso with a 9mm pistol. Despite rapid response from emergency services, he died at the scene. The shooting appeared targeted, with no signs of robbery or random violence.
Within days, on June 8, 2023, authorities arrested Phillips, then 24, of Spring Valley, and Furar, then 21, also of Spring Valley (though sometimes listed with an Ottawa address), during a traffic stop. Digital messages exchanged between Clements and Furar were cited as evidence of premeditation, with Furar allegedly providing Phillips with the firearm and driving him to and from the scene in a getaway vehicle. Phillips is accused of pulling the trigger, while Furar faces charges under a theory of accountability for her role in facilitating the act. Both provided statements to investigators early on, though these would later become points of contention in court.
Case Status
This case involves two co-defendants whose proceedings have been severed and are moving separately. Shared facts: La Salle County Circuit Court (13th Judicial Circuit); Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.; prosecution led by La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro. Both have pleaded not guilty and remained in custody at the La Salle County Jail since their arrests.
Nicolaus J. Phillips
- Role: Alleged shooter
- Current status: Pleaded not guilty; confirmed his election of a bench trial; defense has filed motions in limine to admit hearsay testimony and evidence of the victim’s alleged propensity for violence; expected to claim self-defense
- Next court date: Hearing on defense’s pending motions set for September 17, 2026
- Custody status: In custody at the La Salle County Jail; bond set at $5 million
- Last updated: August 6, 2026
Chastity A. Furar
- Role: Alleged accomplice (accountability theory)
- Current status: Pleaded not guilty; defense filed an amended motion to suppress evidence and an alternative motion to dismiss with prejudice or disqualify the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office; hearing on the motions pending
- Next court date: Hearing on defense’s pending motions set for September 22, 2026
- Custody status: In custody at the La Salle County Jail; bond set at $1.5 million
- Last updated: August 6, 2026
Charges & Penalties
The La Salle County grand jury indicted both defendants on June 20, 2023, charging them each with three counts of first-degree murder.
Nicolaus J. Phillips
Phillips faces additional counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, stemming from his prior criminal record, which elevates his potential sentence. If convicted of murder with a firearm, he could face 45 to 85 years in prison, with the possibility of further time added for the weapons charge — effectively a life sentence given his age.
Chastity A. Furar
Furar, charged as an accomplice, could receive an extended term of up to 75 years, reflecting the prosecution’s view of her integral role in the planning and execution.
Evidence & Allegations
Prosecutors have emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, relying heavily on Furar’s statement to investigators and corroborating details from Phillips, along with digital messages, witness statements, and digital records. A significant turning point came in May 2025, when Phillips successfully moved to suppress his confession.
The contested statement occurred during a June 14, 2023, interrogation by La Salle Police Detective Sgt. Brian Camenisch. Phillips, already in custody on unrelated charges, had invoked his right to counsel, but the conversation allegedly shifted to the Clements shooting. Defense attorneys argued that police violated Phillips’ Miranda rights by steering the discussion without a lawyer present. Judge Ryan agreed, ruling the confession inadmissible on May 19, 2025, after reviewing the taped interview in chambers — a blow to the prosecution, as the statement had been a key piece of evidence.
Furar’s defense has raised its own challenges, claiming her rights were violated when surveillance footage was collected by the Ottawa Police Department, during the traffic stop in which she was taken into custody, and when she was allegedly questioned after requesting legal counsel.
Case Timeline & Proceedings
Shared early proceedings
June 5, 2023 — Shooting: Eric Clements is fatally shot outside his Ottawa home.
June 8, 2023 — Arrests: Phillips and Furar are arrested during a traffic stop.
June 20, 2023 — Indictment: A grand jury indicts both on three counts of first-degree murder each. During initial detention hearings, both defendants wept in court and a disturbance in the gallery led to two women being escorted out. Bond is set at $5 million for Phillips and $1.5 million for Furar; both remain in custody, unable to post bail. The cases proceed separately before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr., with multiple continuances.
Nicolaus J. Phillips — proceedings
May 19, 2025 — Confession suppressed: Judge Ryan rules Phillips’ June 14, 2023, statement inadmissible.
Aug. 29, 2025 — Bench trial elected: On what was to be the first day of his jury trial, Phillips instead chose a bench trial before Chief Judge Ryan. Court records note the Court “admonishes the Defendant” for the decision.
Oct. 15, 2025 — Status hearing: Defense Attorney Ryan Hamer requested additional time to file motions; next status hearing set for December 3, 2025.
Dec. 3, 2025 — Affirmative defenses filed: Phillips filed affirmative defenses and confirmed his election of a bench trial, then scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Feb. 18, 2026 — Bench trial date stricken: Defense Attorney Ryan Hamer told the court he intended to file additional motions, and the March trial date was struck.
March 18 – April 28, 2026 — Motions in limine filed: The defense filed motions seeking to admit hearsay testimony under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 804(b)(3) and evidence of the victim’s alleged propensity for violence.
Sept. 17, 2026 — Hearing scheduled: After the state filed its response and both sides requested additional preparation time, a hearing on the defense’s pending motions was set for September 17, 2026.
Chastity A. Furar — proceedings
Sept. 29, 2025 — Trial date (continued): Furar’s trial had been slated to proceed (after a final pretrial conference on Sept. 19). What was expected to be a trial-readiness hearing instead saw the defense request more time to file suppression motions (challenging the surveillance footage collection, the traffic-stop custody, and questioning after she requested counsel).
Jan. 16, 2026 — Status hearing: The defense again requested more time to prepare its motions; the matter was continued.
March 12, 2026 — Revised suppression motion filed: Furar’s defense filed an amended motion to suppress evidence, with an alternative motion to dismiss the case with prejudice or disqualify the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office and appoint a special prosecutor.
April 9 – May 13, 2026 — Status hearings: The case was continued through several status hearings as the state prepared its response to the amended motion; Furar remained in pretrial detention throughout.
Sept. 22, 2026 — Hearing scheduled: With subpoenas issued for law enforcement witnesses, a hearing on the defense’s pending motions was set for September 22, 2026.
—Willow Moss
This is a developing story and will be updated as confirmed information becomes available. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.