If the schedule holds, one of the first jury trials of 2021 in LaSalle County will be for 24-year old Kenneth Herbst. He’s accused of smothering his infant son to death in March 2019. Judge H. Chris Ryan put the Herbst case back on the trial schedule Friday morning.
During the last year-and-a-half, Herbst’s fitness to stand trial has been evaluated. The defense has also sought expert witnesses. Public Defender Tim Cappellini told the judge Friday, his witnesses would be available in December or later.