Charges dropped against Des Plaines cop

A McHenry County Judge Tuesday dismissed domestic violence charges against an 18-year Des Plaines police officer accused of beating his wife.

The move by Judge Gordon Graham came after prosecutors requested their second continuance in the trial against Matthew Hicks, 46, because a witness — one of the officers who responded to the scene — was unavailable.

Prosecutors still have the option to refile charges.

Assistant State's Attorney Robert Zalud didn't have a time frame but said “we're considering reinstatement.”

The misdemeanor charges against Hicks, a sergeant with the force, stemmed from an April 18 altercation at his Huntley home in which he is accused of assaulting his wife and interfering with authorities on the reporting of the allegations.

Defense attorney Margi Worth said she and her client were ready for trial Tuesday, but the state filed its motion to continue the case.

She declined to say whether Hicks had any immediate reaction to the charges being dismissed.

The Des Plaines Police and Fire Commission in August suspended Hicks without pay until it could decide on seven internal conduct charges levied against Hicks: inability to act as a police officer, untruthfulness, insubordination, theft and official misconduct, domestic battery and official misconduct, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and conduct unbecoming.

A hearing is set for Jan. 10 and 11, when arguments will be heard from both sides, Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini said.

“They've done all the front-end work, discovery and answering subpoenas,” Prandini said.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writher Madhu Krishnamurthy contributed to this report.