The man suspected of heinously murdering a Northern Illinois University student will have a psychiatric evaluation.
William Curl appeared in DeKalb County Court via closed-circuit television from jail on Monday. The 34-year-old is charged with killing 18-year-old Antinette "Toni" Keller and buring her remains.
He's charged with first-degree murder, criminal sexual assault and arson and is being held on a $5 million bond.
Public Defender Regina Harris did not specify why she is requesting the evaluation, but said it was made after talking with Curl by telephone.
DeKalb County Assistant State's Attorney Phil Montgomery said the call for an evaluation was unexpected.
Curl was arrested two weeks after her Oct. 14 disappearance. On that date she left her residence hall to work on some art in a wooded area near campus.
That's when Dekalb police believe Curl, who was a frequent visitor to the park, attacked Keller. Police called it a "crime of opportunity."
Investigators said Curl fled to Mexico, and crossed the border back into the U.S., ending up in Covington, Louisiana where he was arrested at a hotel this week.
Neighbors in the DeKalb high-rise where Curl lived told the Daily Herald that he was a quite man who kept to himself, but "didn't come off as being strange."
Curl's next court appearance is expected to be Nov. 30.
