Battery conviction stands for Carpentersville trustee

A Kane County judge Friday denied Carpentersville Trustee Paul Humpfer's motion for a new trial on charges he hit his wife with a baseball bat.

Humpfer was convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery in March but sought a new trial after learning the judge who found him guilty is the brother-in-law of a former trustee who nominated Humpfer as his replacement and also went to high school with a rival board member. Humpfer's attorney, Patrick Crimmins, argued that while Judge James Hallock's relationships might not have played a part in the conviction, "there certainly is an appearance of impropriety here."

But Judge Grant Wegner, who was brought in to decide the motion, said Friday that perception alone did not meet the statutory requirements for granting a new trial. He said the defense would have to prove the relationships or Hallock's knowledge of a potential conflict affected the case.

Wegner ruled after hearing testimony from Humpfer's chief rival, Village President Bill Sarto, about a call Sarto made to the Judicial Inquiry Board requesting an investigation into the Humpfer case. Sarto said outside of court that he made the request before Humpfer's conviction.

"I was just interested in justice," Sarto said after testifying. "I just wanted to make sure justice was served."

Sarto testified he and Hallock attended St. Edward Central Catholic School in Elgin in the 1960s and both worked for the city of Elgin, in different departments, in the early 1970s. Hallock also swore Sarto into office, though Sarto testified that Hallock was his "second choice" for the occasion.

On Friday, Sarto denied warning former Carpentersville Trustee Robert Whitehouse, who is Hallock's brother-in-law, that Hallock would be hearing from a judicial investigator. Whitehouse, who stepped down in 2005 and nominated Humpfer as his replacement, testified last month that Sarto left a phone message for him about the probe.

Humpfer, who faces up to a year in jail, ran unsuccessfully against Sarto in 2005, and the two have repeatedly butted heads on local issues.

Humpfer's next court date is Thursday, Oct. 2, when Hallock is expected to set a new sentencing date.