Conditional discharge for Lisle man who falsely accused Naperville cop
A Lisle man, convicted in January of disorderly conduct for falsely reporting that a Naperville police officer tried to run him over with a squad car, still blames the officer, even after receiving the minimum sentence that his attorney pleaded for.
Donald Pritchard, 50, was sentenced Monday to six months of conditional discharge, during which time he must not break any laws and is prohibited from contacting Naperville Deputy Police Chief Jason Arres and Officer Christopher Sherwin.
Prosecutors sought a sentence of two years' probation, 180 days in jail and anger management counseling.
Pritchard, who was protesting alleged racism within the Naperville Police Department, was charged in January 2016 with felony disorderly conduct after he falsely claimed Sherwin tried to run him down with a squad car Nov. 2, 2015, outside the Naperville police headquarters.
Sherwin's squad's dash camera footage was released in August after the Daily Herald filed a Freedom of Information Act request. The video shows Sherwin, a 16-year department veteran, driving his squad into the police department parking lot at 1350 Aurora Ave. and pulling through the circular drive in front of the station. At no time does Sherwin's car appear to swerve or drive close to Pritchard, who was standing on the sidewalk.
When given a chance to speak Monday, Pritchard continued to talk as if he was targeted by the officer.
"I was out there for three days and I had no problems (the) first two days. But what prompted Officer Sherwin to do what he did, I don't know," Pritchard said. "I did nothing wrong as I peacefully protested. What made him do this?"
Judge George Bakalis reminded Pritchard that the video was published and does not support his claims.
"No one wants to deny your right to peacefully protest," Bakalis said. "But it is improper to make a report of something that clearly did not happen."
Pritchard also was sentenced to time served for the 13 days he spent in custody after his arrest.
"Hopefully this is the end of the matter," Bakalis said.
Naperville police officials declined to comment on the sentence.
Pritchard also was charged with a misdemeanor for resisting a peace officer Jan. 27 when police booked him on the disorderly conduct charge. That case is set for a jury trial March 20.
According to court documents, Pritchard "pulled away from (three) officers and refused to be handcuffed, attempted to grab the hands of the officers and then refused to walk and had to be physically moved to a holding area of the jail where he then refused to cooperate with the booking process."