SYCAMORE | William Curl, 34, pleaded not guilty to five counts of first-degree murder in the death of Antinette “Toni” Keller during an arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

He also pleaded not guilty to one count of concealment of a homicide, one count of arson and one count of criminal sexual assault.

During the arraignment, Judge Robbin Stuckert explained to Curl his charges, their corresponding penalties and his constitutional rights.

The first-degree murder charges are punishable by 20-60 years in a state penitentiary. If the state can establish beyond a reasonable doubt that aggravating factors were committed in conjunction with a murder, Curl could be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Curl could face the death penalty if the state can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the felonies of criminal sexual assault or arson were committed during the course of a murder.

The state’s attorney has 120 days from arraignment to decide if the death penalty will be pursued.

Campbell said during a status update for Curl on Thursday that the death penalty decision remains under review.

Curl did not waive his right to a jury trial during the arraignment, but may do so at any time, said Curl’s public defender Regina Harris.

She said Curl’s plea could also change at any time.

Curl wore an orange jail jumpsuit and navy blue slip-on shoes chained together. After reading every charge, Stuckert asked Curl if he understood the charge and its possible penalties.

He responded with “yeah” or nodded his head for each charge.

Curl appeared before Stuckert for the first time in-person at the DeKalb County Courthouse since being charged. He had previously appeared via live closed-circuit TV from the DeKalb County Jail.

Harris said defendants can find it nerve-wracking to appear in court, but it helps them to understand the legal process.

“Being on video tends to distance them emotionally a little bit from the process,” Harris said, “While [Curl] was nervous, I think that in some ways he was more comprehending of everything that was happening because he could hear everything, could see the judge face to face.”

Clay Campbell, DeKalb County State’s Attorney, declined to comment on the arraignment.

He confirmed that two members of Keller’s family were present during the proceedings.

Curl’s sister Moria said she sees her brother twice a week and had visited him Tuesday morning before attending the arraignment.

“We wish justice,” she said. “Both sides deserve it; Toni, more than anyone.”

Moria said Curl is holding up as well as expected.

“I can’t wait until the day his name is cleared,” she said.

Curl’s next status update  will be at 1:15 p.m. on March 23 at the DeKalb County Courthouse.

Harris said she expects to receive more evidence from the state at that time.