Woman Pleads Guilty to Assault on a Muslim Woman

February 25, 2005

Source: The Journal-Standard

http://www.journalstandard.com/articles/2005/02/17/local_news/news03.txt

On February 25, 2005 The Journal-Standard reported, "a Freeport woman charged with felony aggravated battery for striking a local Muslim on the street pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser misdemeanor battery charge, after a plea agreement was reached between the prosecution and defense. Tonya Morris, 19, of Freeport was in Stephenson County Circuit Court on Thursday for a pretrial hearing. At that time, attorneys announced an agreement had been made in the case. Morris agreed to plead guilty to simple battery, a Class A misdemeanor, with a recommended sentence of 24 months probation, 60 days in jail with credit for time served, payment of restitution and other fees and fines, and anger management therapy. Officials say Morris will likely serve 30 days in jail. After advising the defendant of her rights to a trial, Circuit Judge Charles Hartman accepted the guilty plea and imposed the sentence agreed to by both sides."