McHenry courthouse a bad place for fistfight

A 20-year-old Harvard man apparently picked a bad place to start a fight — the McHenry County courthouse.

Authorities charged Daniel Stott with felony aggravated battery shortly after 9:15 a.m. Oct. 7 after an altercation on the third floor of the courthouse, 2200 N, Seminary Ave., Woodstock.

According to the McHenry County sheriff’s office, the victim was sitting in the hallway for a family member, who was in an office. Stott and one of his family members approached the victim and a “verbal altercation” began.

The matter quickly escalated, and Stott punched the victim in the face as he sat in the chair, authorities said. The charge was aggravated battery because the attack occurred in a public place, the sheriff’s office said.

Stott spent the night in jail before posting $2,000 bond the next day, according to the sheriff’s office.

A message left with Donahue and Walsh, the firm representing Stott, was not returned.

According to McHenry County court records, Stott was due in court that day for an order of protection hearing, which was continued to Oct. 22.

But that’s not the next time Stott must be back at the courthouse,

He is due this Tuesday to appear before Judge Sharon Prather on the aggravated battery charges, which carry a top penalty of five years in prison but also allow for probation.

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