Plea in works in battery of Metra conductor
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com February 11, 2013 1:50PM
Matthew John Padour
Updated: March 13, 2013 6:15AM
A Libertyville man accused of punching a Metra conductor may be willing to accept a plea deal.
Matthew Padour was arrested April 5, 2012, at the Libertyville Metra station, according to court records. He faces aggravated battery charges.
He was before Lake County Circuit Court Judge John Phillips for a pretrial hearing Monday.
“We have tendered a formal offer,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Newman said.
Details of the possible plea deal were not disclosed.
Padour and a friend had taken the Metra Milwaukee North Line home from a Cubs game on April 5, Newman had said.
Padour’s friend did not have money to pay for his fare, so he arranged for someone to bring money to the train station.
Padour and the friend jumped off the train in Libertyville, one stop before the one they had designated to get the fare money, according to Newman.
Padour only had enough money to cover his fare.
Padour and his friend got into a verbal altercation with the male Metra conductor, who is 60 years old, according to Newman.
Padour is alleged to have punched the conductor in the face. The conductor sustained injuries related to the punch, Newman said.
Padour faces two to five years in prison or a sentence of probation. He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated battery.
He remains free from custody. He is due back in court Feb. 22.
