Misdemeanor defendant is charged with felony for allegedly spitting on judge
In court on Wednesday for a bond hearing in a misdemeanor trespassing case, a suburban Chicago man became upset when a bond reduction was denied.
So Jonathan Pease cursed at Judge Mark Gerhardt. When held in contempt and given a 360-day jail term for doing so, Pease spit in the jurist’s face and on his robe, lawyers present and a McHenry County sheriff’s deputy told the Chicago Tribune (reg. req.) and the Northwest Herald.
Deputy Aimee Knop said authorities cannot recall another incident at the McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock in which a defendant spat on a judge.
Pease, who is either 27 or 34 years old, is now facing a felony charge of aggravated battery on a judge, as well as a contempt charge.
The articles don’t include any comment from Pease or his defense counsel.
