Trespassing trial opens for Naperville squatter

After being chased into her office by Naperville squatter Scott Huber, psychologist Kathy Borchardt became “very frightened” when she realized there was no way out — other than a pair of second-story windows, she testified Wednesday.

“I went and hid behind a chair,” Borchardt said. “I was afraid Mr. Huber was going to break through that door the way he was pounding, and I would be alone with him, with no way out.”

Huber, 60, whose street encampments have drawn attention for about a decade, faces charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing stemming from the Feb. 1, 2010, episode at 4 N. Washington St.

Borchardt, who took the stand as Huber's trial opened in DuPage County, said the squatter grew incredulous and chased her into her office after she politely asked him to relocate his encampment outside because it might alarm young patients.

Borchardt said she attempted to lock the main entrance to Benton House medical complex with Huber in pursuit. But soon he was pounding on her locked, second-story door and taunting her like “children on a playground,” she said.

Cowering behind a chair in fear, Borchardt said, she called 911 for help. At that point, Huber called her “uncharitable” and began quoting the Bible, she said.

“I felt very frightened,” she said. “I became very acutely aware there was no way for me to leave other than two windows facing Washington.”

Borchardt denied she brought a case against Huber, as his court-appointed attorneys claimed, to bolster a defamation lawsuit she filed after he began blogging about her and displaying signs about her ethics following the incident. In fact, she said, she recently consulted an attorney and isn't sure if she will proceed with the case.

The defense also claimed Borchardt, who since has moved her offices to Warrenville, was angered when Huber refused to move his encampment.

“He was peaceable about it; she was the aggressor,” Assistant Public Defender Clarissa Myers said.

Huber, who blames the city of Naperville for the loss of his home and business, has regularly clashed with city officials over his encampments. Earlier this year, a judge granted the city a long-sought injunction barring people from living downtown.

Huber's bench trial in front of Judge Karen Wilson resumes Thursday.