EDWARDSVILLE – Zachary Capers of Collinsville, the suspect in the stabbing deaths of Michael Ladd and Lois Ladd 20 months ago, awaits a trial without a date.
He awaited psychological examination as of Nov. 5, when Associate Judge Neil Schroeder learned a virus lockdown in county jail prevented it.
Schroeder told public defender Neil Hawkins and prosecutor Jacob Harlow to let him know if they needed his help in arranging the examination.
He set a conference Dec. 7.
The Ladds died on March 17, 2019, at their home on the outskirts of Edwardsville.
Michael, a contractor, was 79. Lois, a chiropractor, was 68.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Capers on that date, after he allegedly entered private property near Worden and fled when the owners questioned his presence.
Prosecutors had charged him with a series of crimes in the previous 18 months.
In September 2017, they filed two felony counts of possessing stolen Ford trucks.
Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli released Capers on $75,000 recognizance bond.
Prosecutors filed a felony charge of forgery in October 2017, alleging that Capers possessed a phony $50 bill.
They described it as a document capable of defrauding another, a statement that gave it more credit than it deserved.
Both sides of the bill showed “motion picture use only” in big capital letters.
The Capitol on the back lacked a dome.
The face stated, “This note is not legal. It is to be used for motion pictures.”
It featured Ulysses Grant with a hateful scowl.
At the same time, prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges of theft and obstructing a peace officer.
The theft charge alleged that he obtained a car key that belonged to Cole Hunter.
The obstruction charge alleged that he failed to identify himself in an attempt to hinder an investigation.
On Nov. 13, 2017, Circuit Judge Kyle Napp released Capers on $20,000 recognizance bond.
A week later, prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor trespass.
He allegedly entered Dairy Queen in Edwardsville after receiving notice that such entry was forbidden.
Associate Judge Janet Heflin released him on $3,000 recognizance bond.
A week later, he allegedly assaulted Eric Adams by yelling at him and chasing him in Country Hearth Inn and Suites.
Schroeder released him on $3,000 recognizance bond.
In July 2018, prosecutors filed two misdemeanor trespass charges against Capers for incidents three days apart.
Both charges alleged that he entered the basement common area of apartments at 518 Hillsboro Avenue after Edwardsville police forbid his entry.
In the Ladd murders, Harlow has filed notice that he will seek a life sentence.
Schroeder has continued trial four times at the request of public defender John Rekowski and four times by joint agreement between Rekowski and Harlow.
Rekowski passed the case to Hawkins after announcing his retirement.
At the hearing on Nov. 5, Schroeder said setting a trial date wouldn’t be productive due to the change of defense counsel.