Guilty verdict in 2022 Ohio murder

An Ohio, Illinois man was convicted Monday of a 2022 murder. Matthew J. Pairadee will be sentenced Sept. 12.

Pairadee, 33, was found guilty in Bureau County Circuit Court of first-degree murder and home invasion for the fatal shooting Jerome Lauer, 69, also of Ohio, Illinois, in October 2022.

The trial was repeatedly postponed due to Pairadee’s mental health issues; he was at one point ruled unfit to stand trial.

Monday, however, Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. rejected defense calls to find Pairadee not guilty by reason of insanity.

Pairadee faces a complicated sentencing range, as his time for home invasion must be served back-to-back with his murder sentence, which is also subject to firearm enhancement.

“My thoughts are with the victim’s family at this time,” Bureau County State’s Attorney Dan Anderson said. “We are pleased with the verdict and looking forward to sentencing.”