Witnesses tell of attack by Carpentersville trustee

The second trial for a Carpentersville trustee accused of domestic battery began Wednesday with tales of a tryst and other twists.

After being tried in the court of public opinion during an election campaign a year ago, Trustee Paul Humpfer now is being tried in a court of law, accused of beating his wife with a baseball bat last year.

In the first two hours of the trial that started Wednesday, witnesses for Humpfer's wife testified they could have reported the alleged abuse to police, but cited various reasons as to why they did not.

Jacqueline Humpfer said she might have been drugged, which led to her having sex with another trustee's son -- which allegedly set off Paul Humpfer.

The defense, on the other hand, said proof will show the attack never occurred.

Humpfer, 43, is charged with four misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, including allegations by Jacqueline Humpfer, that he caused bodily harm.

She alleges her husband struck her on the legs and poked her in the hip with a baseball bat on May 17, 2007, leaving bruises.

Defense attorney Van Richards said Paul Humpfer was upset -- not abusive -- after learning at his child's Little League game that his wife had had sex with a fellow trustee's son a few nights before the May 17 incident.

"He came home upset, crying," Richards said. "He threw the dog bowl and water spilled out … but proof will show that he never struck her with the baseball bat."

Richards also said Jacqueline Humpfer did not contact police nor seek medical help after the alleged attack and that friends who learned of the allegations did not file a police report.

"Proof will show that Mrs. Humpfer never contacted police and that nothing happened until she commenced the divorce proceedings, which are pending," Richards said, referring to divorce papers Jacqueline Humpfer filed in June 2007.

But three witnesses, including Jacqueline Humpfer's co-workers and friends, said they heard the alleged attack or saw injuries.

"I heard unusual noises … like crashing and banging," said Jeanne Delbosque, who said she was on the phone with Jacqueline Humpfer when the incident occurred.

"She told me he was making threatening statements, but I could not hear them," Delbosque said.

Delbosque said she tried to call Jacqueline Humpfer back after the phone went dead, but could not get through.

When asked why she had not contacted the police, Delbosque said she did not know the home's address.

In addition, Casey Foley, who has been friends with Jacqueline for about 15 years, said she saw bruises on Jacqueline's left leg and hip the following morning.

Foley said she had not contacted police, but had tried to photograph the bruising. Foley said she could not find her camera.

The last witness to testify Wednesday was Barbara Krawczyk, who said she saw "yellowish bruises" on co-worker Jacqueline Humpfer's hip and lower leg.

Krawczyk said she did not contact the police because she "was not present at the occurrence."

At least 10 witnesses are expected to testify throughout the bench trial before Kane County Circuit Judge James C. Hallock. The trial will continue March 5.