Curl plans to appeal judge's ruling in the murder of an NIU student

Oct 2, 2013 8:05 AM

Jeff Leon

A DeKalb man plans to appeal a ruling by a judge to not extend the deadline to withdraw his guilty plea in the murder of an NIU student in October of 2010.

37-year old William "Billy" Curl admitted on April 3rd to the killing of 19-year old Antinette Keller. He received a sentence of 37 years in the Department of Corrections.

Authorities say that Curl beat Keller and then raped her before setting her body on fire. The teen had gone for a walk at a park near the NIU campus and never returned. DNA evidence was used in the case.

Curl had 30 days to ask the judge to revoke the plea agreement. He did not file his motion until July 22nd, more than 3 months later.

Judge Robbin Stuckert made her ruling on September 16th. She said that she did not have the authority to give Curl more time to ask to withdraw his plea agreement.

Curl will be 71 years old when he gets out of prison under the plea agreement.