Kane County prosecutors will soon get a chance to prove their case against an Aurora man accused of a 2005 murder, but repeatedly found to be unfit to stand trial.
That opportunity begins in late September during a discharge hearing for 35-year-old Quentin Moore. He is charged in three murders — the 2005 beating death of Jorge Caro and the 2001 killings of Larry Postelwaite and Sharon Paulette. Prosecutors have elected to try Moore in Caro’s case first, however the process has been slowed over the years because of ongoing uncertainty over Moore’s mental health since he was charged in 2007.
Moore was charged as part of the Operation First Degree Burn sweep that involved multiple arrests in several unsolved killings in the Aurora area.
During a June 8 hearing, Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson once again deemed Moore unfit. After a similar ruling in early 2016, he underwent treatment at the Chester Mental Health Center for several months before two more rounds of hearings late last year on Moore’s ability to assist in his defense, according to court records.
The discharge hearing operates as something of a mini trial, where prosecutors will present evidence and witness testimony to Abrahamson in an attempt to prove the murder charge against Moore beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors said.
If Abrahamson found Moore not guilty, the case would end, although Moore would remain in custody awaiting trial on the 2001 murders and because he is currently serving a 23-year prison term for an unrelated attempted murder conviction. The judge could also rule him not guilty by reason of insanity or determine prosecutors had met the burden of proof.
In the latter two scenarios, according to state law and prosecutors, Moore would be remanded into treatment for five years. If Moore were to be restored to fitness during that time frame, the case would move forward to a trial before either a judge or a jury.
Since his arrest nearly 10 years ago, Moore at times refused to enter the courtroom and has been restrained for appearances on other occasions. He has filed numerous handwritten motions with a variety of complaints, including that the state owed him lottery winnings, and, in 2010, he attacked his attorney during jury selection, which caused a mistrial.
At least eight judges have overseen the case and several different attorneys have represented Moore.
The discharge hearing is scheduled to begin Sept. 29.
Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News