Woman gets probation in shooting of husband
A former Huntley woman pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated domestic battery for shooting her husband and was put on four years probation.
Virginia Choromanski, 67, had been accused of attempted first-degree murder for the Jan. 21, 2007 shooting of her husband, Fred, in their Sun City retirement complex home after an argument.
She also faced charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated battery to a senior citizen. The other charges were dropped.
Choromanski will have to wear a GPS tracking device and a SCRAM alcohol-monitoring device for six months. She also has to undergo alcohol abuse treatment, and psychological counseling, according to assistant state's attorney Justin Fitzsimmons.
She will only be able to leave her home with the permission of the court or Adult Court Services, he said. And she is not to consume alcohol during her probation. If she violates the terms of her probation, she could be sentenced to up to seven years in state prison.
"Sometimes justice has to be tempered by mercy. It is an appropriate sentence considering all the extenuating circumstances," Fitzsimmons said.
He said Choromanski was under the influence of alcohol when she shot her husband, Fred, then age 75, in a shoulder.
"We believe alcohol played a huge role in the unfortunate ending of the incident," Fitzsimmons said. Previously published reports said the couple was having an argument at the time, an argument they continued as paramedics arrived, about where Fred should go for treatment. Virginia Choromanski, who had no previous criminal record, placed the 911 call.
The plea agreement prohibits her from living with or contacting her husband during the probation. Fitzsimmons said he believes she is now living in St. Charles. The Choromanskis moved to Huntley in 2005 from Deer Park. Choromanski's attorney did not return a call for comment.
Fitzsimmons said Fred Choromanski has recovered from his injuries.
"He did not want his wife charged in the first place," Fitzsimmons said.