One of the witnesses in yesterday's trial of Marco Villegas notified me last evening that Villegas was found guilty on one disorderly conduct charge and not guilty on the second charge.
According to this witness, Villegas was found guilty on the Class C disorderly conduct charge, but he was found not guilty on the window-peeping charge (Class A).
Apparently, a property owner or resident must have a Notice posted on her property warning persons not to trespass. In other words, stay off the property. Will this result in No Trespassing signs springing up at almost every home in McHenry County?
Is it really okay for a person to trespass onto another person's property, approach the building, face a window at which drapes are drawn (but which might have a small gap), and attempt to peer through a window at 11:00PM when the glow of a television screen can be seen through the gap?
How do you protect yourself?
A No Trespassing sign.
An audio announcement that would play if anyone comes onto your lawn and within 10 feet of your house after dark.
A barkless German shepherd.
I recommend against a bear trap in the shrubs near the window.
And no shooting through the window. You have to wait until he enters your house AND threatens you. If he (a thief) is just stealing your "stuff" and daring you to shoot him, don't.
You'll be the one in jail, and he'll be in the witness box testifying about his injuries - assuming he survives.
Villegas' other disorderly conduct (window-peeping) charge is now set for March 16, 9:00AM, in Courtroom 301 for a status hearing on a trial. If you want to get an idea of how long a case can take to move through a court in McHenry County, go to http://www.mchenrycircuitclerk.org/. Look up Case No. 08CM003217 and examine the Court Events.
When does a judge finally get fed up with requests for continuances and order a firm trial date?
You never know who is interested…
3 months ago
8 comments:
Outrageous!!! Almost as ridiculous as every pedophile getting out with a wrist slap for the horrible crimes that our children are victims of. The McHenry County judges better wise up. I think the citzens of this county deserve better!
Debra, the outcome of this? It was a trial by a jury of 12.
Thanks for that info Gus. Now, hopefully the "jury" will render a correct verdict. Did not mean to go off there but I get so sick of reading articles like the one that just showed up in the NWH about a young girl almost being abducted. We need to start to keep these walking horrors off of the streets, imprisoned, where they belong.
I just ordered my signs and by the way I'm a step ahead of the stupidity as I made sure they were in several different languages.
In no particular order:
No Trespassing,
Prohibido el paso,
لا التعدي على ممتلكات الغير
entrée interdite,
kein Hausfriedensbruch,
no mnao ruka mipaka,
Where U goin-git out here,
geen verboden terrein,
не ходят
I hope that covers it.
Next I will check for any ordinances to make sure the sign is installed on the post at the proper height etc..
Sure don't want a bad guy to outsmart me.
If you're in Woodstock, I hope the Code Enforcement guy doesn't find your house.
Move to Texas. I believe that you're allowed too shoot trespassers on your property at night, however the law requires that you post the property with a "No Trespassing" sign of a specific size and color combination. I don't recall specifics on the size, but the color combo is black letters on a dark blue background.
Texas is a bit different. I know for a fact that habitual truants get locked up as do their parents if found responsible - or irresponsible, as the case might be.
Thanks for the information, Gus. I did follow the link for the circuit court, but once there, was not able to find any links that would allow me to look up the case.
You do fine work and would make a good sheriff in this county.
Mohawk Chieftain, I have corrected my error in the URL for the Circuit Clerk's website.
Will you please try again? Thank for writing about the problem, and thanks for your nice comment about the sheriff's race.
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