Rolling Meadows man gets 17 years for trying to kill wife

A Cook County judge sentenced a Rolling Meadows man Thursday to 17 years in prison — one year for every stab wound he inflicted upon his wife in an attack last year that left her in intensive care.

Jose Antonio Aparicio, 43, received the sentence in exchange for his guilty plea to attempted first-degree murder, a class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison. He must complete at least 85 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

The victim — who received wounds to her back, abdomen and forearm — recovered, as did Aparicio, who attempted suicide immediately after the attack and was himself hospitalized.

Aparicio and the victim became “embroiled in argument” about 1:25 a.m. on June 19, 2010, at their Rolling Meadows home, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Gerber. It “escalated from an oral argument to a physical altercation” at which point Aparicio produced an 8-inch blade and began stabbing the victim, Gerber said.

The couple’s minor child was present and observed the attack, Gerber said. At Aparicio’s bond hearing last year, prosecutors indicated that the child called 911 and told the operator the defendant was killing his mother.

Aparicio, who has no criminal background, admitted to police several days later that he tried to kill his wife, Gerber said.

“He (Aparicio) regrets greatly what happened here. His remorse was immediate,” said Cook County Assistant Public Defender Larry Kugler, referencing his client’s suicide attempt and his attempt to refuse medical treatment for his wounds.

Citing his lack of criminal background and his desire to maintain a relationship with his son, Aparicio requested the court reconsider the sentence, a negotiated plea on which Aparicio, his attorneys and prosecutors had agreed.

“Indeed, you were a hardworking man, a good spouse and a good father,” said Cook County Judge James Etchingham, who awarded Aparicio 375 days credit for the time he has spent in custody since his arrest. “However, those qualities left you for some time on June 19, and caused you to commit a vicious attack.”

“Those terrible, terrible facts are cause for a substantial prison term,” Etchingham said, adding that he hopes it will allow Aparicio to reestablish a relationship with his child.