For the fourth time, Aurora murder suspect Quentin Moore has been deemed unfit to stand trial.
Moore, 33, recently underwent another fitness examination at the request of his attorney, Donald Zuelke. He made the request shortly before Moore’s scheduled February trial in the 2005 death of Jorge Caro in Aurora.
Zuelke contended too much time had passed since a jury’s 2013 decision to declare Moore fit, while also noting in court documents that Moore appeared “paranoid” and acted in other “bizarre” ways indicative of someone unable to assist in his defense.
The latest unfit declaration was discussed during a Wednesday hearing, for which Moore refused to leave the courtroom’s holding area to appear before Kane County Judge Susan Clancy Boles, according to court documents. Moore is in Illinois Department of Corrections custody while serving a prison sentence for an attempted murder conviction. Prosecutors have not yet had their expert examine Moore.
Moore was arrested in 2007 as part of Aurora’s Operation First Degree Burn which involved charges in several cold case murders. Moore is charged in three killings dating back to 2001.
More Top Picks Best Crib Mattresses For Newborns
Moore’s fitness has been a frequent focus of pre-trial hearings in the case over the years, with him being found unfit three other times and fit at least twice. His courtroom behavior has varied from an attack on a previous attorney during jury selection to outbursts. Zuelke cited Moore’s courtroom acts in his request for the evaluation earlier this year.
Outside the courtroom, Moore continues to file handwritten motions on his own with requests to visit a dentist and to have a doctor examine a finger he injured while working years ago. Moore’s latest motions, submitted on March 24, want the murder charges to be dismissed because they are based on “rumors,” according to the paperwork.
Moore is scheduled to return to court on June 3.
Dan Campana is a freelance reporter