April 25, 2024
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Bureau County judge awaits results of 2nd mental evaluation in Ohio, Ill. murder case

1st evaluation revealed a bona fide doubt of Pairadee’s fitness to stand trial

By Jayce Eustice
Bureau County Sheriff officers gather at the scene of an incident in the 200 block of E. Long Street on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022 in Ohio, Ill. A suspect is in custody and there is no longer a threat to the community, the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office told Ohio Community School District.

Bureau County Sheriff officers gather at the scene of an incident in the 200 block of E. Long Street on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Ohio, Ill. (Scott Anderson - sanderson@shawmedia.com)

A status hearing was conducted in an Ohio, Ill. murder case Tuesday as Judge James Andreoni said officials are awaiting the results of a second mental fitness evaluation for defendant Matthew J. Pairadee, 31.

Pairadee has requested to represent himself barring the results of the mental evaluations and is facing four counts, including first-degree murder of Jerome Lauer, 69, and home invasion, that were returned by a Bureau County Grand Jury.

Pairadee previously elected to enter a plea of not guilty and demanded a speedy trial by a jury.

After the results of the first evaluation were returned to Andreoni on Dec. 16, he deemed the results revealed a bona fide doubt of Pairadee’s fitness to stand trial.

State’s Attorney Thomas Briddick filed a motion for a second evaluation on Dec. 22 that, as of Tuesday, is scheduled to be conducted Friday. The court should be notified of the evaluation results in the upcomig weeks.

Andreoni set a Thursday, Feb. 16, hearing date to discuss the status of the evaluation before a scheduled March 6 fitness hearing.

Public Defender Brad Popurella, who represented Pairadee on Tuesday, said barring the results of the evaluation, the defense may request a third fitness evaluation.

Pairadee has been held on $10 million bond since his capture after an eight-hour standoff with police that occurred Oct. 23 and 24 in Ohio.

He faces a minimum of 45 years and a maximum of natural life for the murder charges with a firearm enhancement. The home invasion, a Class X felony, will carry a minimum of 21 years and maximum of 45 years with a firearm enhancement.

If convicted on all charges, Pairadee would be required to serve his sentences consecutively.