Crime & Safety

Toni Keller Murder Trial Delayed Again

Prosecutors have asked for more time in case against William Curl, accused in death of Plainfield teenager.

For the fourth time, the trial date has been pushed back for 36-year-old William “Billy” Curl, accused in the sexual assault and murder of Plainfield teen Antinette "Toni" Keller.

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On Monday, the trial was continued until April 11, 2013, after a DeKalb County judge agreed to give prosecutors time to recruit an expert in forensic psychology to testify in the proceedings against Curl, according to the DeKalb Daily Chronicle.

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Last month, Judge Robbin Stuckert denied prosectors’ request to bar testimony from a psychologist who evaluated Curl for the defense.

Stuckert also denied a request from the defense seeking to have all five first-degree murder charges dismissed. Curl’s attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the charges should be dropped “because they do not specify what acts caused Keller’s death,” which prevented them from adequately preparing a defense.

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READ – JUDGE: DEFENDANT WILL FACE FIVE FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES IN DEATH OF TONI KELLER

Curl is accused of sexually assaulting Keller, a Northern Illinois University freshman, and murdering her in a DeKalb park, then setting her remains on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime.

Keller, a Plainfield resident and Neuqua Valley High School graduate, was last seen Oct. 14, 2010, when she told friends she was going for a walk in Prairie Park to take photos for an art assignment. Her remains were found two days later.

Curl’s trial, originally scheduled to start in May, has been pushed back four times.

Most recently, case was delayed to allow time for Curl to be fitted with hearing aids after his lawyers argued that hearing problems prevented the accused killer from understanding court proceedings.

Last month, Toni’s father, Roger Keller, was admonished in court after speaking out against a proposed Jan. 14, 2012 trial date, reportedly telling the judge, “Just so you know, that’s Toni’s birthday.”

READ: TONI KELLER TRIAL – NEW START DATE TO FALL ON SLAIN STUDENT’S 21ST BIRTHDAY

According to the Chronicle, prosecutors have contacted an expert in forensic psychology, but that person cannot start reviewing the case until Jan. 1, 2013.

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