GUILTY IL - Antinette 'Toni' Keller, 18, DeKalb, NIU Student, 14 October 2010

[DKanalyst]

One of the rumors I heard right before Curl's arrest was announced was that 4people were involved and that some had travelled to Mexico but didn't have passports and were turned away at the border, and one was now in Louisiana and had confessed to police. However, after Curl's arrest LE did indicate to the press they weren't looking at anyone else being involved.

Still, I can't help but wonder if police won't make more arrests down the road in this case - and if maybe this is why Curl's sister feels he is "innocent."

I heard most of this as a rumor -- identified absolutely as a rumor -- and probably had gone through many people before it got to me. I heard there were 3 or 4 people, that one was a person who liked to brag and possibly told police where there was a fire. Very early, I read on FB that there are a group of "hobos" that hang out in Prairie Park. I have wondered if Curl (or whoever killed her) found or ran around a group hanging around a bonfire and subsequently, the group helped him burn the body. If that's true, I don't know why LE would be acting like they have it all solved. Perhaps this is why they keep asking for any additional information.

 

[Joe Friday]

See attached link....apparently there is no real discussion as to what the new State's Attorney's stand will be concerning Curl's chance at facing the death penalty. If only Toni had such a choice.

http://www.electclay.org/speeches.html

It's the third response down -- labeled death penalty.

Justme had posted earlier that the newly elected DA did NOT support the death penalty. This was Justme's opinion and I'm not sure where or how Justme came to this conclusion. Lets hope it is wrong.

bummer. the newly elected DA in dekalb county does not support the death penalty. moo

 

[justme1962]

Justme had posted earlier that the newly elected DA did NOT support the death penalty. This was Justme's opinion and I'm not sure where or how Justme came to this conclusion. Lets hope it is wrong.

I was basing that conclusion on the statement that he ends with, in that video. The question was do you support the death penalty. He goes on to explain all the reasons he doesn't support it and ends with "and therefore...i'm against the death penalty"

Maybe he'll see things differently after looking at this case.

 

[Black Frost]

Sorry if my post didn't feel welcoming. I was trying to answer your question you asked in a humorous way to help you understand many of the other acronyms used here on WS and to point out the sticky of WS lingo, which I posted a link to in my other post. I was not really welcoming you to WS, which I did do BTW,<mod snip>.

<mod snip> inject some humor into this. That is what I was hoping I was doing along with helping to answer your question. I guess you took it the wrong way. It is hard to read a persons sense of humor through a computer monitor. My post was not intended to poke fun at you or one-up you either.

FWIW, I just wanted to let you know the post you reference (post #385 on page 16) came across to me as humorous and helpful. I was a little surprised by the misread, though I understand these things can happen. Just wanted to share a different perspective.

 

[Joe Friday]

FWIW, I just wanted to let you know the post you reference (post #385 on page 16) came across to me as humorous and helpful. I was a little surprised by the misread, though I understand these things can happen. Just wanted to share a different perspective.

Thanks,

 

[Lissa2002]

I heard most of this as a rumor -- identified absolutely as a rumor -- and probably had gone through many people before it got to me. I heard there were 3 or 4 people, that one was a person who liked to brag and possibly told police where there was a fire. Very early, I read on FB that there are a group of "hobos" that hang out in Prairie Park. I have wondered if Curl (or whoever killed her) found or ran around a group hanging around a bonfire and subsequently, the group helped him burn the body. If that's true, I don't know why LE would be acting like they have it all solved. Perhaps this is why they keep asking for any additional information.

I've lived 2 blocks from Prairie Park for over 20 years and have frequented the bike path in the park often. I've heard rumors of homeless living in tents in the park, but never witnessed it (as I don't tend to venture off the path) I was somewhat shocked when a coworker recently told me that there are roughly 50 homeless people who live in the dense part of the park and have a communal type fire pit they camp around. She said they are known to desert the park during the day (which is when park workers are known to come in and dismantle the camp - usually only to find it back up the next time they go back in) I honestly don't know if this is where they found the remains, but it certainly is a possibility. I've been told a fire back in this part of the park would be nearly impossible to see. I've wondered if any of the homeless who live back there might've been a witness to anything suspicious though - I'm also guessing they might be reluctant to talk to police.

The park has also had a reputation for being a party-park. Again, I've never witnessed it, but haven't ever been in the park at night, either. There was a sexual assault arrest about a month prior to Toni's death. This occurred in the 400 block of Clifford "near the park" according to news reports (Prairie Park's address is 435 Clifford) and the assault was reported on a Thursday night. According to news reports, the woman left the party with the man arrested and he allegedly assaulted her back at his car. This had made me wonder if Toni might've stumbled upon a party in progress at or near the park that day or evening - and came across those who did her harm.

If others were involved, I can only speculate that LE might act like they have it all solved while they work behind the scene and gather evidence to bring in the others (if there are indeed others involved). If they are no longer in the area, I honestly don't know if LE could extradite them from another state, based on Curl's word alone that they were also involved.

 

[JIMMY ROCKFORD]

OK.. from very good sources..WPC acted alone..And LE have the right guy and plenty of evidence . It will not be made public until the trial. I know it has been bugging me and alot of people who want to know more. But they can't reveal anything until the trial. And risk a mis-trial or anything like that. What I did find out today from a local merchant is that curl would shop at a local store downtown with gift cards from hopehaven. Which makes me believe he wasn't mentally stable. And he didn't have the money to skip town on his own. If you watched the press video on the arrest they were able to track WBC by credit card use. I am guessing but it might have been a family members card. And he was in a 1994 or 95 Ford Explorer...on a good day that SUV will get 15 miles to the gallon. Add up the miles to Mexico and back to LA and do the math ...he spent alot of money on gas. And as far as his mother saying the car was stolen..She probabally had to say he didn't have permission to use it after talking to LE..Because that would make her an accessory to the crime.

 

[Cubby]

Respectfully, what are hopehaven gift cards and why would you believe Curls use of these gift cards would be indicative of his mental instability?

IMO, and an uneducated guess these sound like giftcards for the less fortunate that might be offered to the needy instead of cash ( as many won't give cash knowing it could be used for drugs or alcohol). I'm not saying Curl may not have obtained these gift cards in a less than honest way, but I am confused on why you believe his use of them is indicative of being "mentally unstable".

FWIW, mental instability, or perhaps a better defination would be someone being treated for or diagnosed with a mental illness is not equivilant of being in a position to succesfully plead insanity.

Curl certainly does not have the mental capacity of say a 10 yr old. His fleeing would demonstrate some cognitive skill... He is not an incompetent ward of the state... No one has sought legal guardianship of him as an adult deeming him incapacitated or incapable of living independently, even with some sort of public assistance. He may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but he is certainly 'sane'.

Also, while Curl may qualify for some sort of disability allowing him to legally obtain residence in a building designated for Seniors or the building/states requirements for disability -neither would be considered as being legally insane.... at least when it comes to criminal charges in a court of law.

jmo

 

[kodachrome]

I am also a local and FTR, Curl's sister Moria, also lived at Hope Haven (a homeless shelter) before she herself scored and apartment at Golden Years. I don't believe she currently lives there any longer.

 

[Mia]

This whole thing is so horrific and bizarre. Here we have this lovely young girl, happily settling into life as a college student, who decides to take a walk and explore her new surroundings, maybe snap a few pictures, and be back on campus for a 2pm class. And then, horrifically, it seems she like so many other innocent victims was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She stumbles across WC, who somehow manages to subdue her, bring her to an isolated section of the park, rape and assault her, murder her, then burns her body until what is left is not even recognizably human. This is like something out of a horror movie, I can't even begin to imagine how Toni's family and friends are even functioning and getting through each day at the moment. I read that her mother had to be hospitalized; if I were this girl's mother, or sister, I think I'd have to be permanently hospitalized. I always wonder how the family of these kinds of victims manage to live with the images of what their loved one had to experience, I don't know if I'd be so strong.

 

[niuparent]

Being the parent of a current NIU student, our family just received a letter in the mail, signed by the college President, along with a sheet outlining NIU Safety Info.
It pointed out what Websleuths already knew, which is that Prairie Park is not an area that students would accidentally "wander into" from campus, because they must cross a major highway and busy railroad tracks. The mailing really doesn't say much specific, other than "this past summer, DeKalb Police reported that statistics for most major crimes were at a 10-year low" and "While the recent announcement that an individual is in custody and charged in connection with the death of Toni Keller is welcome news and provides some comfort, it does not bring Toni back..."

Somehow, I'm still not comforted, and don't think I will be until more information is given during the trial, to help confirm they "got the right guy" and he acted alone...

 

[justme1962]

Being the parent of a current NIU student, our family just received a letter in the mail, signed by the college President, along with a sheet outlining NIU Safety Info.
It pointed out what Websleuths already knew, which is that Prairie Park is not an area that students would accidentally "wander into" from campus, because they must cross a major highway and busy railroad tracks. The mailing really doesn't say much specific, other than "this past summer, DeKalb Police reported that statistics for most major crimes were at a 10-year low" and "While the recent announcement that an individual is in custody and charged in connection with the death of Toni Keller is welcome news and provides some comfort, it does not bring Toni back..."

Somehow, I'm still not comforted, and don't think I will be until more information is given during the trial, to help confirm they "got the right guy" and he acted alone...

I can't help but wonder if the silence about the details of this case, is due in part to the strong, strong political influence of NIU. I am sure there is truth to what LE says, when they say that they don't want anything to lead to a mistrial - but I also think it's all hush-hush in part, because NIU wants it to disappear from the headlines. Especially with this being the time of year that they have campus visits for prospective students. That's JMO.

 

[Woe.be.gone]

How long until the trial? I've mainly followed Caylee's case and we all know that it's taking forever to come to trial. WPC's Lawyer stated that the trial will take some time to prepare for - does anybody have an idea of what amount of time that would reasonably be under these circumstances? I hope she doesn't mean three years.

To remind, the next scheduled court date is November 30. What will be covered at that time?

 

[Woe.be.gone]

Being the parent of a current NIU student, our family just received a letter in the mail, signed by the college President, along with a sheet outlining NIU Safety Info.
It pointed out what Websleuths already knew, which is that Prairie Park is not an area that students would accidentally "wander into" from campus, because they must cross a major highway and busy railroad tracks. The mailing really doesn't say much specific, other than "this past summer, DeKalb Police reported that statistics for most major crimes were at a 10-year low" and "While the recent announcement that an individual is in custody and charged in connection with the death of Toni Keller is welcome news and provides some comfort, it does not bring Toni back..."

Somehow, I'm still not comforted, and don't think I will be until more information is given during the trial, to help confirm they "got the right guy" and he acted alone...

Thank you for the first hand info. I think if your daughter avoids secluded places and stays aware of her surroundings, she'll stay safe. But I understand your concern and I too would like to know what info authorities have that makes them so confident they have the killer. Also, I'm very curious about this guys profile and what would cause someone to do something so horrific to a complete stranger - a young girl imo. What is that evil and why? It's difficult to drop the subject - like brushing away this horrible situation as if it never happened. I'm anxious to know the details of the evidence.

 

[niuparent]

woe.be.gone, I know the police claimed it was a "crime of opportunity," but I'm not sure if Toni Keller was a "complete stranger." Other students said she liked to go to the park to sketch and take photos, and that she was always "friendly to everyone." One of her friends talked about how her classmates knew her as the girl who liked to smoke an exotic brand of cigarette with a bright blue filter and gold band.

I keep wondering if she may have encountered William Curl on some previous visit to the park; maybe she smiled or said "hi" while walking by, and even if she didn't think of him as anyone out of the ordinary, he may have started fantasizing about her, and waited to meet her again. Her distinctive cigarette probably made her easy to recognize. Many students have fairly "predictable" schedules, as far as when they're in class versus having blocks of free time, and with this attack having happened in the early afternoon (since she didn't show up for her later afternoon class) I just keep thinking he could've been "laying in wait." Of course, we may never know for sure, if Curl doesn't confess, but that's my theory.

 

[Cubby]

Being the parent of a current NIU student, our family just received a letter in the mail, signed by the college President, along with a sheet outlining NIU Safety Info.
It pointed out what Websleuths already knew, which is that Prairie Park is not an area that students would accidentally "wander into" from campus, because they must cross a major highway and busy railroad tracks. The mailing really doesn't say much specific, other than "this past summer, DeKalb Police reported that statistics for most major crimes were at a 10-year low" and "While the recent announcement that an individual is in custody and charged in connection with the death of Toni Keller is welcome news and provides some comfort, it does not bring Toni back..."

Somehow, I'm still not comforted, and don't think I will be until more information is given during the trial, to help confirm they "got the right guy" and he acted alone...

Thank you for the post niuparent. Didn't MSM indicate Toni told her friends she was going to this specific park? I seem to recall, but am going by memory, she said she was going to this park which would contradict the information sent in the letter from NIU.

Also by crossing a major highway which highway is NIU refering too?
Unless they are refering to I-88 I don't recall any major highways in the immediate vicinity unless some roads have been greatly widened since I attended 25 years ago. Also, unless a student has their own vehicle on campus they all do a lot of walking......

Is there more to the letter? I can't help but be curious. I agree with the other poster it does sound like NIU would like this to just go away... and if there is not much more to the letter it sounds more dismissive and to pacify parents as opposed to being a letter about assisting parents instill strong safety measures. Most 18-21 or 22 year olds are still of the mindset those things only happen to other people when clearly based on Toni's case they can and do happen to everyday average people.

jmo

 

[Cubby]

How long until the trial? I've mainly followed Caylee's case and we all know that it's taking forever to come to trial. WPC's Lawyer stated that the trial will take some time to prepare for - does anybody have an idea of what amount of time that would reasonably be under these circumstances? I hope she doesn't mean three years.

To remind, the next scheduled court date is November 30. What will be covered at that time?

I would guess at least a year. There is no difinitive time table as of yet in which an official id will be made on Toni's remains. The remains must be officially id'd before trial can even be scheduled.

 

[Lil PI]

Also by crossing a major highway which highway is NIU refering too?
Unless they are refering to I-88 I don't recall any major highways in the immediate vicinity unless some roads have been greatly widened since I attended 25 years ago. Also, unless a student has their own vehicle on campus they all do a lot of walking......


jmo

Cubby- I'm guessing that highway the letter refers to is Lincoln Highway/Rte. 23. Not a real highway but it definately is the busiest road in the county other than the interstate I would imagine.

I would bet money that NIU used that specific terminology on purpose to create a mental image of a barricade or boundary for the intended recipents of the letter (the parents of the students)

IMO

 

[niuparent]

NIU's letter did specify Prairie Park being south of campus, across Lincoln Hwy/Rte. 38. I interpreted the statement about Prairie Park not being an area students would "wander into" from campus as an attempt to reassure parents that their kids would have to deliberately make an effort to get there, which is what Toni did. (Some parents might have feared that Prairie Park was contiguous to the NIU campus, and their kids could accidentally wander into the park without being aware of entering it.)

The NIU Safety Information FAQ that accompanied President John G. Peters' letter did talk about the police and security services that are in place, including escorts available 24 hours a day, etc. It did say, "NIU has a safe campus, but no community or college campus is completely immune to crime. Unfortunately, two high profile, unrelated tragedies have drawn a lot of negative attention to NIU and created misperceptions." (Toni's death being one, with the second being the Valentine's Day 2008 shooting by a former graduate student in one of the lecture halls, that killed and injured a number of kids.)

I can't blame colleges for the actions of the criminals. I'm afraid these kinds of incidents confirm that the U.S. doesn't do a very good job of providing mental health care for individuals who have been previously diagnosed with "issues." Looking at the Virginia Tech shooter, or the NIU Valentine's Day shooter, or William Curl (who apparently was on disability for "issues,") it seems like all we can do is remind our young adults to be aware of their surroundings, and take advantage of security services if they feel in the least bit uncomfortable. I still don't think it would have stopped Toni Keller from going to the park alone in broad daylight...

 

[Cubby]

Thank you for the additional info niuparent. I agree with the following statement of yours.

I still don't think it would have stopped Toni Keller from going to the park alone in broad daylight...

I don't believe it has been disclosed in MSM if Curl received disability or not. As far as I know his receiving any kind of disability or having an official diagnosis of a mental illness has been pure speculation.