Experts to Watch DNA Testing in Keller Murder Case

DNA experts will observe Illinois Crime Lab tests conducted on evidence linked to the murder of Antinette "Toni" Keller, the 18-year-old Plainfield girl killed in DeKalb last October.

Dr. Karl Reich and Dr. Pravatchai Boonlayangoor with Independent Forensics of Illinois were selected by public defender Regina Harris, who's representing defendant 34-year-old William Curl in the murder case.

The development was revealed at a DeKalb County Circuit Court hearing Tuesday, a story in the DeKalb Daily Chronicle said.

Harris wants her own experts, she said, because some of the evidence is so small that is likely to be destroyed in testing. The two doctors will observe consumption, testing and analysis of all DNA samples, court documents said.

Among the items believed to be part of the evidence are blood-splattered shoes that Curl allegedly threw away and were recovered from a landfill.

Harris told Circuit Judge Robbin Stuckert that she is drafting an order to contact a lab technician to arrange a time for that testing to occur.

DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell told the paper he has agreed to arrangement so that DNA testing can proceed.

Harris has also subpoenaed the DeKalb Police Department to obtain information on other cases in which Curl may have been involved, regardless of whether an arrest was made, the Daily Chronicle said.

Harris was directed by the judge Tuesday to make copies of the subpoenaed material for the state's attorney's office.

Keller was murdered in mid-October 2010, and Curl arrested for the crime about two weeks later. He faces five first-degree murder counts in addition to charges of arson and criminal sexual assault. It's alleged that Curl raped Keller before killing her and setting her body on fire.

Keller was an 18-year-old student studying art at Northern Illinois University. She was last seen alive when she told friends she was going for a walk at a nearby park shortly after noon on Oct. 14, 2010.

Curl is being held in the DeKalb County jail in lieu of $5 million bail. His next court date is Sept. 28.