Restoration hearing set for Ohio, Illinois man charged with murder

A restoration hearing has been set for Jan. 24 in a Bureau County murder case that has been continued for more than two years because the charged is undergoing mental health treatment and examinations.

Matthew J. Pairadee, 33, was in court Monday for a status hearing. Last March, a jury found he was unfit to stand trial. Dr. Jean Clore and Dr. Terry Killian also determined he was unfit to stand trial.

On Feb. 16, the state requested a discharge hearing — because of Pairadee’s mental fitness.

Judge James Andreoni said on Nov. 12 the Illinois Department of Human Services 90-day report determined Pairadee had been restored to fitness and a restoration hearing needed to be set before a trial date could be set.

Andreoni asked Bureau County State’s Attorney Daniel Anderson and Public Defender Bradley Popurella if they planned on calling any witnesses for the restoration hearing or if they planned on utilizing statements; both said they planned to use statements.

Popurella also is awaiting another physician’s opinion, so another status hearing has been set for Dec. 30 ahead of the restoration hearing.

Popurella also requested the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office provide pencils and papers, so Pairadee is able to aid in his own defense.

Andreoni said he didn’t run the jail and asked Popurella to reach out to the sheriff with the request first and if there was any issue than to come back to court with a motion.

Pairadee is accused of fatally shooting 69-year-old Jerome Lauer, also of Ohio, Illinois, in October 2022, after entering a home allegedly and taking a 10-month-old child.

He faces a minimum of 45 years in prison 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.