St. Charles man gets supervision in scooter assault

A St. Charles man initially accused of felony assault with a deadly weapon for using a 6-foot shovel to knock a man off a motorized scooter in July 2009 pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser misdemeanor charge.

Joseph Milder, 50, of the 600 block of West State Street, will not serve any jail time after pleading guilty to battery, defense attorney Daniel Collins said.

The felonies Milder was charged with after the July 26 incident in St. Charles carried a prison term of up to five years, but probation also was an option. They were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

Authorities said Milder stepped out into the street and hit the victim, who was 44 at the time, in the chest with the shovel. The victim sustained cuts to his legs, shoulder and hip.

At the time, Milder’s previous defense attorney said Milder was just trying to get the man to slow down.

Milder was set for a jury trial Monday, but Collins said his client opted to plead guilty to avoid a felony conviction on his record.

Asked if he and his client were satisfied with the result, Collins replied: “We don’t have any comment on it. It is what it is. Everything is settled.”

Milder also must pay a $300 fine, have no contact with the victim and is on supervision for 18 months.

The victim, Eric Miller, also filed a lawsuit against Milder in 2009. The case is due in court Monday for a possible settlement and dismissal, according to court records.