A 43-year old Vandalia man has been found fit to stand trial following a hearing on Tuesday. After appearing via Zoom from Fayette County Jail, Arnold Rivera was present in the courtroom with the public defender Lucas Mette and States Attorney Brenda Mathis and it was confirmed that after a delay, the state and defense had received the fitness report from Dr. Caldwell and agreed to Judge Alan Lolie by both that the report itself would be the only evidence considered for the fitness hearing. With that, it was confirmed that Rivera is fit to stand trial and a jury trial date has been set for April 20 at 8:30am. There will be a pre-trial conference on March 24 at 10am with a final pre-trial then scheduled for April 7 at 10am. Rivera continues to be remanded to the Fayette County Jail to await trial.
Rivera is charged with two counts of First Degree Murder as information on the charges states that Rivera is alleged to have strangled a 14-year old Vandalia juvenile with jumper cables and concealed the body. Both counts are Class M Felonies and carry a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison. Rivera also faces two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault, both Class 1 Felonies, one count of Concealing a Homicidal Death, a Class 3 Felony and one count of Concealing Death, a Class 4 Felony.
Heartbreaking