Man charged with First Degree Murder in Galesburg after allegedly hitting older woman with hammer

GALESBURG, Ill. – A man is charged with murder in Galesburg after allegedly hitting an older woman with a hammer.

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Police reports uncover new details in ongoing Galesburg murder investigation

David L. Nicholson-Klingerman, 29, is facing several felonies including First Degree Murder, a Class M Felony. He is accused of fatally hitting an older woman in the back of her head with a hammer, causing ‘deep penetrating wounds to the skull and brain,’ according to court documents.

On Tuesday, Knox County Coroner Jacque Dare identified the woman as Georgette Rodrigues, 67, of Galesburg.

At around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a home on N. Soangetaha Road for a well-being check. Upon arrival, officers found Rodrigues outside the home with ‘blunt force trauma to her body,’ but she was alone on the property, according to the Galesburg Police Department.

Property records show neither Nicholson nor Rodrigues were owners of the home where the alleged incident occurred.

Nicholson’s address is listed in Bloomington while Rodrigues’ address is listed in a different part of Galesburg.

OCT. 29 UPDATE: The previous owner of the home confirmed to me it is Nicholson who currently owns the home and that the sale closed earlier this month.

It is unclear how the suspect and victim know each other, or why they were at this home together. Dispatch audio indicates Nicholson’s father called police saying his son was dealing with mental health issues and not getting along with who he was staying with at the home.

Although a press release from Galesburg Police says there wasn’t anyone else on the property upon arrival, an officer was able to run Nicholson’s plates with dispatch from the scene pinging back to an address in Bloomington, based on dispatch audio.

In addition to murder, Nicholson is charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Aggravated Battery causing Great Bodily Harm to a Person Over Age 60, both of which are Class 2 Felonies. He is also charged with Concealment of Homicidal Death, a Class 3 Felony, court records show.

Police say Nicholson was arrested Monday after being considered a person of interest. He appeared in court Tuesday where a judge found probable cause to move forward with the case, court records show.

Nicholson also has an open criminal case in McLean County, Illinois. He is charged with Criminal Damage to Property, a Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Trespassing, a Class B Misdemeanor, and Assault, a Class C Misdemeanor. He was granted pretrial release for these charges Oct. 9 with a pretrial conference set for Nov. 25.

OCT. 29 UPDATE: In Knox County, a judge granted prosecutors’ request to deny pretrial release. Nicholson will remain in custody at the Knox County Jail.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. in Knox County.

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This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.