Lingering anger results in 30 months probation for attack with car

Just let it go.

Had James R. Martin followed the maxim that all of us have heard but not all of us heed on May 21, he would not be facing 30 months felony probation today.

Martin, of the 1700 block of Rose Street, in Palatine, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery Thursday for striking a man with his car. The two had argued earlier in the day when Martin, who was driving a Volkswagen Jetta, happened upon the victim walking in the 1600 block of Palatine's Baldwin Road, said assistant state's attorney Cathy Nauheimer.

Martin made a U-turn, accelerated and hit the victim, who struck the car's windshield resulting in lacerations to his head, along with injuries to his hand and leg, Nauheimer said.

The original charges included attempted first-degree murder, which the state dismissed in exchange for the guilty plea. Nauheimer indicated that the victim's family agreed with the disposition.