March 11, 2025
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Alleged getaway driver in Ottawa shooting death to stand trial May 19

Spring Valley woman appears in court for first time in more than a year

By Tom Collins
Chastity Furar appears before judge Cynthia Raccuglia during a hearing in the La Salle County Governmental Complex courtroom on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Ottawa. Furar and Nicolaus Phillips of Spring Valley are charged in the shooting death of Eric Clements of Ottawa. Clements was killed on June 5th after being shot in the chest, allegedly by Phillips.

Chastity Furar, the alleged getaway driver in the 2023 shooting death in Ottawa, will stand trial May 19, a La Salle County judge ruled Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Scott Anderson)

The alleged getaway driver in a 2023 shooting death in Ottawa will stand trial May 19.

Chastity Furar, 23, of Spring Valley, also listed in Ottawa, appeared Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court and left with spring trial dates. She next will appear May 16 for a final pretrial conference.

Furar is charged with first-degree murder, but as an accessory. Prosecutors accused her of driving the alleged triggerman, Nicolaus Phillips, to Eric Clements’ Ottawa home June 5, 2023, and of supplying the pistol used to kill Clements.

Thursday’s trial setting was Furar’s first in more than a year. Furar was taken off the trial call after her lawyer, Ottawa defense attorney Karen Donnelly, raised mental health issues and asked for Furar to be evaluated. She was deemed ready for trial in the fall.

Even though Furar isn’t alleged to have fired the weapon, her sentencing range would be subject to a 15-year firearm enhancement, meaning she could face up to 75 years.

Phillips will stand trial May 5. He will next appear in court Feb. 27.

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