Curl trial could be delayed by tests
Hearing problems affecting man accused of killing Antinette "Toni" Keller
SYCAMORE – Pending results of medical tests for William Curl could affect the starting date of his trial set for Dec. 3.
Curl, the man accused of killing Northern Illinois University student Antinette “Toni” Keller, might not be ready to stand trial by Dec. 3 if CT scans show problems with his hearing.
Interim Public Defender Tom McCulloch, Curl’s attorney, appeared in court with his client Tuesday and told Presiding Judge Robbin Stuckert they were awaiting results of medical tests Curl took Tuesday. Curl was originally supposed to appear in court via closed-circuit TV from the county jail but had to be brought in because of difficulties hearing.
–Shaw News Service
Stuckert said she had concerns about Curl’s condition and suggested technology such as voice recognition computers could be used in the trial, which she has already told court staff to look into. McCulloch said Curl also has difficulty reading so the technology may not be much help.
Stuckert said she still planned to move forward with the trial on Dec. 3, but scheduled another pre-trial hearing for 8:30 a.m. Friday to review the results of the CT scans.
In addition to the murder charges, Curl, 36, faces charges of concealing a homicidal death, arson and criminal sexual assault in connection with Keller’s death in October 2010. Curl was indicted in January 2011.
