'Stick Of Dynamite' Defendant Fit For Trial In Salem Village Death

JOLIET, IL — After spending four months inside the Will County Jail, 71-year-old Salem Village resident and former first-degree murder defendant William Paschall found out his criminal case will proceed at the Will County Courthouse. Will County's longest serving judge, Amy Bertani-Tomczak, recently ruled in favor of the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow.

On Nov. 18, Joliet police booked Paschall into the Will County Jail on first-degree murder charges in connection with the violent death of fellow 61-year-old Salem Village resident Michael Pappas. However, after the autopsy, the charges of first-degree murder were downgraded, and Pappas' death was no longer being classified as a city homicide.

Instead, Paschall is now being charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.

According to last week's court records, both sides stipulated that Dr. Anna Stapleton is an expert in the field of clinical psychology and Dr. Stapleton would testify with the facts, findings and opinions of her report dated March 17. As a result of her report, within a reasonable degree of psychological certainty, Judge Bertani-Tomczak ruled Paschall is fit to stand trial.

The Joliet man's criminal case was continued until Thursday, March 28 for his next pretrial hearing.

On Nov. 20, Joliet Patch reported that after punching the 61-year-old Salem Village resident in the head at least four or five times in their sixth-floor laundry room, Paschall yelled "Die mother *****" as he grabbed the victim's walker and began to strike him in the head and his body, according to Peter Wilkes of the Will County's Attorney's Office.

Joliet police interviewed Paschall at the Salem Village and later at Joliet's police station. Paschall told the detectives "he has a temper" and his temper is "like a stick of dynamite," according to court filings.

Nursing home staff at Salem Village told Joliet police that Paschall was regarded "a time bomb" who routinely argued with fellow residents at the Salem Village on Rowell Avenue.

Since the deadly attack, Salem Village has closed and no longer exists anymore.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Salem Village To Close After Fatal Laundry Room Attack: WJOL

No More Murder Charges In Laundry Room Killing In Joliet