Toni Keller Murder Trial Delayed Until December

The family of Antinette “Toni” Keller will have to wait a few more months before 35-year-old William Curl goes on trial for the Plainfield teen’s murder.

According to the DeKalb Daily Chronicle, Judge Robbin Stuckert granted Curl’s attorney more time to have psychiatric evaluations completed on the accused killer, setting a new trial date of Dec. 3.

Public defender Regina Harris cited Curl’s lengthy history of mental problems, according to the Chronicle.

Keller, an 18-year-old freshman at Northern Illinois University, was reported missing Oct. 14, 2010, after telling friends she was going for a walk in DeKalb’s Prairie Park. Her charred remains were found in the park two days later.

Curl is accused of attacking Keller in what DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen called a “crime of opportunity,” sexually assaulting and murdering her before attempting to hide his crime by burning her remains. He is charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count each of arson, criminal sexual assault and concealing a homicidal death.

Police said Curl, who did not know Keller, became a suspect when he failed to show up to a second interview with investigators. He then fled to Mexico before crossing back into the United States, police said. in Covington, La., before being returned to Illinois.

The delay is the second time the trial has been pushed back. , Stuckert granted the public defender more time to prepare Curl’s defense. The proceedings were originally scheduled to begin May 7.

To read the entire DeKalb Daily Chronicle report, click here.