The 33-year-old Ohio man charged with the murder of 69-year-old Jerome Lauer was found unfit to stand trial at his Jury Trial on March 7, 2023, to determine his fitness to stand trial. The trial was not to determine innocence or guilty. Jurors were selected on March 6th and testimony was given by Dr. Terry Killian, M.D. and Dr. Jean Clore, PhD, LCP. The trial was continued to March 7th and the Defense made an oral Motion for a Directed Verdict regarding the Defendant’s Fitness status. Judge Andreoni granted the motion with the Defendant expected to obtain fitness within one year. The Jury wasn’t present during the discussion regarding the Motion for Directed Verdict and was discharged following the decision. At his hearing, Matthew Pairadee made an oral Motion for appeal and the Clerk was directed to file a Notice of Appeal. A status is scheduled for March 24th at 8:30 PM. A 90-day Status Hearing is scheduled for June 21st at 1:15 PM to reexamine the Defendant’s Fitness status. Pairadee will remain in the Bureau County Jail until transferred to the custody of the Department of Human Services.
Pairadee allegedly confessed to the late October killing of Jerome Lauer which stemmed from a child custody dispute. Lauer was the grandfather of the 10-month-old girl taken by Pairadee. Matthew Pairadee is charged with three (3) counts of First Degree Murder (Class M Felonies) and Home Invasion/Firearm (Class X Felony) (2022CF67).
