Prosecutors dismiss domestic battery charge against Lakemoor official

Lakemoor Village Trustee Nicholas Weber said he is looking to move on today after McHenry County prosecutors dismissed a domestic battery charge against him stemming from a June 12 altercation with his wife.

Weber, 41, declined further comment on the incident, in which he was accused of striking his wife in a fight that police said left both he and his wife bloodied.

"It's done and we're both moving forward," he said.

Prosecutors last month dismissed the same misdemeanor charge against Weber's wife, Laura L. Weber, 38, who was accused of slapping her husband across the face during the dispute.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said it is often necessary to dismiss cases when parties to an incident of suspected domestic violence are both victims and perpetrators.

"When you have a victim who also is a defendant in a case, it causes Fifth Amendment issues that makes these cases difficult to proceed with and prove beyond a reasonable doubt," he said.

McHenry County Sheriff's reports say Nicholas Weber suffered a cut on his left ear and scratches on his forehead during the altercation. His wife suffered a swollen nose, cut right ring finger and bruised arm, reports state.

Both Webers told deputies they were consuming alcohol before the dispute.

Weber has been a Lakemoor trustee since winning election to a two-year board term in 2003. He was re-elected in 2005 and has said he intends to serve until his term expires in May 2009.