Suspect in teacher slaying deemed mentally fit

SALEM -- A judge has declared a murder suspect mentally fit to be tried on charges that he rammed a southern Illinois teacher with his Jeep as she walked along a rural road, then raped her in the woods before going home and returning to stab her to death.

Before Judge Richard Kiley's ruling this week, autism specialist Rachel Loftin testified that suspect Neil Barrall was a "high functioning autistic" unfit to understand the consequences of his actions and assist in his own defense.

Daniel Cuneo, a court-appointed psychiatrist, has testified that Barrall, 29, has Asperger's syndrome -- a form of autism -- but was fit to stand trial if special provisions were taken to assist him in areas where the Asperger's could crimp his ability to help in his own defense.

Kiley ruled that while the doctors ultimately did not agree on Barrall's mental fitness, they agreed that Barrall was impaired. The judge ordered a specialist to assist Barrall's defense at trial.

Marion County State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach has insisted that Barrall's attempts to conceal the October 2007 killing of Michelle Cavaletto disproved Loftin's claims that Barrall lacks "'real world' problem-solving capabilities." Barrall tried to repair his vehicle, cleaned his clothes and initially lied to investigators before confessing, Wilzbach said.

Barrall has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond.

Wilzbach has said he would seek the death penalty against Barrall. But he told Salem's WJBD Radio that Kiley's finding that Barrall has a mental illness could influence whether he pursues a possible death sentence. Wilzbach said he would consult with Cavaletto's family and decide how to proceed.

In a case he has called "pretty spooky" for its randomness, Wilzbach has said Barrall was driving along a county road Oct. 20, 2007, when he happened upon Cavaletto, 38, talking a morning walk a few miles from her home near Walnut Hill.

Cavaletto "apparently didn't even see him coming," Wilzbach has said. "He admits he hit her intentionally. He denied it was an accident."

Barrall allegedly kicked the woman in the head repeatedly with steel-toed boots, sexually assaulted her and went home, only to return later to stab her in the chest and neck with a knife, Wilzbach said.

Barrall gathered up Cavaletto's clothing except for the bra she was found still wearing and disposed of those items, along with the knife, at various places, Wilzbach has said.

In a videotaped statement Wilzbach has called "tantamount to a confession," Barrall "was very matter-of-fact during the interview, showing no emotion and no remorse."

"At least in my personal opinion, from watching the video of his interview and seeing his demeanor in court, it's just a complete lack of remorse that frankly scares me to death," Wilzbach has said. "Not only the way he attacked her initially but then, in a very calm fashion, coming back with the lack of remorse that he's shown at this point. Those were probably the heaviest factors that play toward seeking the death penalty in this case."