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Round Lake Beach man gets 13 years in prison for 8th DUI

A Round Lake Beach man was sentenced to 13 years behind bars Wednesday for his eighth conviction on driving under the influence charges, authorities said.

Defense attorneys for Timothy Morrow, 43, of the 1400 block of Hainesville Road, asked Lake County Judge Brian Hughes to sentence him to the minimum six years in prison he faced, said Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon.

However, Morrow’s extensive criminal history both directly and indirectly related to the consumption of alcohol left Hughes little recourse but to order extensive prison time, Dillon said.

“Morrow has also had numerous opportunities for treatment throughout his lifetime,” said Dillon, who sought a 15-year sentence for the Round Lake Beach man. “Plus, this could also be a deterrent for other people committing this same crime.”

Morrow has been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol 12 times since 1987, Dillon said, though four of those charges were either dropped, ended in a not guilty finding, or with a plea deal to a lesser charge.

He was convicted driving under the influence in Illinois in 1987, 1991, twice in 1994, twice in 1995, and in 2011, Dillon said. He also was found guilty of DUI in Wisconsin in 1994, he added.

Morrow faced DUI charges in 2005 and 2006, but those were reduced to charges of reckless driving under plea agreements.

He also was cited for operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol in 2004 and 2010, but the 2004 charged was dismissed and he was found not guilty of the 2010 charge.

The latest charge against Morrow came in July 2011 after he was pulled over by Round Lake Beach police officers who reported he was swerving on Rollins Road. During a subsequent traffic stop, Morrow’s balance was off, he was slurring his words, and he had the smell of alcohol on his breath, Dillon said.

Morrow refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test but failed a field sobriety test, Dillon said. A jury convicted him in October of aggravated driving under the influence.

Morrow was taken into custody immediately after Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.

Timothy Morrow, 43, of Round Lake Beach, center, speaks with his defense attorney, Mike Norris, left, after being sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison for an eighth DUI conviction. Pool/Chicago Tribune, Stacey Wescott
Timothy Morrow, 43, of Round Lake Beach pleads for mercy before Lake County Judge Brian P. Hughes during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday. Hughes sentenced Morrow to 13 years for his eighth DUI conviction. Pool/Chicago Tribune, Stacey Wescott
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