Roselle woman pleads guilty in Elgin stabbing

A Roselle woman entered a tearful guilty plea Tuesday to a November 2009 stabbing that occurred at an Elgin house party.

In exchange for her guilty plea to aggravated battery, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Fecarotta sentenced Mercedes Valldeperas, of the 0-100 block of East Hattendorf, to six months in Cook County Jail along with 30 months felony probation, including 12-months intensive probation which requires random drug and alcohol tests, a curfew and community service.

Valldeperas, 20, could have received up to five years in prison for the Class 3 felony which took place at the female victim's home about 11 p.m. Nov. 13, said Assistant State's Attorney Mike Gerber.

During an argument between Valldeperas and the victim, Valldeperas stabbed the other woman in the upper back and shoulder with a Swiss army knife, Gerber said.

The victim suffered a 3" wound that required 28 stitches, Gerber said. The victim, who was present during sentencing and told the court she agreed with the sentence, said that she undergoes physical therapy but has recovered from the attack.

An emotional Valldeperas, flanked by her mother and her attorney, did not initially speak during her sentencing. That troubled the court.

"It bothers me that you didn't even offer an apology for what you did," Fecarotta said, adding that he was unsure if nerves, fear or lack of remorse kept her silent.

The defendant, who has no criminal background, quickly apologized to the victim, explaining that she was frightened about going to jail.

"You're very lucky," said Fecarotta. "You're lucky you didn't puncture her lung or cause greater damage."

"Intensive probation is not easy," continued Fecarotta, who said he considers it "one foot in the penitentiary door." "It's not easy," he said, "but it sure beats going to the penitentiary at 20 years old."