Ruling on Keller's Remains Could Come This Week

Antinette Keller’s family may know Friday if they can bring her body home to Plainfield.

 In a court hearing today in DeKalb, the attorney for the man accused of killing Keller in October said an arrangement to return at least some of the remains to her family could come by the end of the week, according to news reports today in the DeKalb Daily Chronicle.

 Police believe William "Billy" Curl, a 34-year-old DeKalb man killed Keller, an 18-year-old Northern Illinois University freshman in the fall. Curl is charged with five counts of murder, criminal sexual assault, arson and concealing a homicide.

 His public defender, Regina Harris, today told court officials the burn remains specialist she is working with may be able to complete his analysis by studying photographs of Keller’s remains.

 "I believe we may be able to come to some sort of agreement," Harris said in court today, according to the Chronicle.

 Keller’s family is asking the court, through DeKalb County State's Attorney Clay Campbell, to release their daughter’s remains so they can make plans for a memorial service. Circuit Judge Robbin Stuckert gave Harris until today to consult with her defense team and take action on the request.

 "I think it's safe to say the family is suffering," Campbell told the paper after last week’s hearing. "... It is the opinion of the state that these remains can be released to the family without compromising Mr. Curl's right to a fair trial."

 Campbell has said he understands the court will need to keep some of Keller’s remains. He is expressing reservations about whether the lawyers will be able to work out the details in time for the 1:30 p.m. hearing on Friday. Prosecutors also want to study portions of Keller’s body, her clothing and a piece of evidence from Curl’s bathroom, they say.

 If the attorneys can’t come to some sort of a deal, officials say, it most likely will fall to DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller to make a statement outlining which remains the court may be able to relinquish to the family.

 Police found Keller’s nearly completely burned remains two days after she told friends she was going to a park for a walk. Authorities believe Keller was killed shortly after she disappeared Oct. 14, 2010. Her remains were so badly burned police could not positively identify her body until January.