Sterling man pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing in CGH parking lot – Shaw Local

MORRISON – A Sterling man has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Aug. 11 stabbing death of an acquaintance whose critically injured body was found in a vehicle in a hospital parking lot.

Robert A. Ager, 40, who is accused of stabbing 41-year-old Roy S. Chavez of Sterling, pleaded not guilty Monday during a preliminary hearing in Whiteside County District Court.

Chavez was found critically injured in his vehicle at 12:03 a.m. on Aug. 11 after the vehicle crashed in the parking lot of CGH Medical Center at 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling. According to court documents, the investigation indicates Chavez was the driver of the vehicle and was stabbed multiple times while driving. Chavez was given aid and medical attention, but later succumbed to his injuries at CGH Medical Center, police said.

Ager was formally charged on August 12 with two counts of murder/intent to kill or cause bodily harm and one count of murder/high probability of killing or causing bodily harm in connection with Chavez's death. According to investigations, Chavez and Ager were acquaintances and familiar with each other.

Officers had found Ager near CGH Medical Center. Ager was arrested around 6 a.m. on August 11 and booked into the Whiteside County Jail. During a hearing on August 12, he was denied pretrial release because he is considered a danger to the community and because he has numerous felony convictions, according to court records.

According to Whiteside County court records, Ager pleaded guilty to burglary in January 2003 and was sentenced to three years in prison. In February 2006, he pleaded guilty to burglary and theft and was sentenced to four years in prison.

In June 2007, he was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery. In April 2014, he was sentenced to 30 days in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault. In November 2017, he was sent to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a hate crime, court records show.

His second attempt to have him released in court was denied Monday and he will remain in the Whiteside County Jail. His next court date is a pretrial conference scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 18 in Whiteside County District Court.

Ager has filed a motion for a speedy trial, and on Monday his trial date was set for Oct. 15. Trial documents filed in the case show that all three counts of premeditated murder are Class M felonies, which carry a prison sentence of 20 to 60 years if convicted.