"Former Alderman’s accuser jailed"

From The Journal Times.com:

By Kristen Zambo

"RACINE — A southern Illinois woman who accused former Racine Alderman Keith Fair of choking her one night during an argument is back in Racine County — this time behind bars.
"The Carrier Mills, Ill., woman failed to appear in court on Jan. 15 to testify against Fair during his trial. The trial then was called off and Racine County Circuit Judge Allan 'Pat' Torhorst issued a material witness warrant for the woman.

"During a hearing on Thursday, her bond was set at $5,000 cash, court records show. Fair’s case goes back to court March 28.

"The woman was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday afternoon after the material witness warrant finally was served on her. But the case was called earlier, and the courtroom was locked and dark at the scheduled time.

"Messages were left for District Attorney Rich Chiapete on Thursday, but he couldn’t be reached for comment.

"Neither Fair nor defense attorney Vincent Bobot attended the hearing.

“'We found out late yesterday,' Bobot said Thursday afternoon, adding he was tending to other cases at that scheduled time. But he said he planned to contact Fair to discuss possible trial dates for his case.

“'My client still maintains his innocence,' Bobot said.

"The woman remains in the Racine County Jail, which she was booked into on Monday, jail logs show. Racine County prosecutors charged her that day with cocaine possession and disorderly conduct in connection with a domestic incident with another man on Sunday in Racine."

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-alderman-s-accuser-jailed/article_eccd21ca-b087-11e3-bcae-0019bb2963f4.html