SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) – A judge has ruled that a northern Illinois man who is serving decades in prison in the death of a Northern Illinois University student can proceed with a last-ditch appeal.
William Curl claims he was coerced into taking a plea deal due to poor advice from his court-appointed attorney and threats from prosecutors. Curl in 2013 was given a 37-year sentence in the death of Antinette “Toni” Keller in 2010. Her burned body was found in a park two days after she disappeared.
The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports that Curl has exhausted his other appeal options. Prosecutors will be able to respond to Curl’s petition, which a judge on Tuesday ordered could advance.
A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31.
