Suspended Frankfort Cop Facing New Burglary Charge
JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) -- A southwest suburban police officer accused of beating up his ex-girlfriend was indicted on an additional charge this week, the SouthtownStar is reporting.
Donald Walsh was initially charged with domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery in July after Mokena police arrested him for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend at her home.
This week, a Will County grand jury indicted Walsh on a residential burglary charge, for which he was arraigned on Friday.
Special Prosecutor Dave Neal said he added the burglary charge not because Walsh took anything from his ex-girlfriend's home, but because he entered against her wishes on the day of the incident.
Walsh, 29, of Monee, was arrested July 25 by Mokena police, who were called to the house about 3 a.m. by one of her children.
Police say the child likely saw Walsh shouting at the victim, demanding to see her cell phone, choking, hitting and head-butting her.
Walsh also pointed a gun at his head and put the gun in his mouth, police said.
He has denied attacking his ex or threatening himself with the gun. His attorney, Steven Haney, declined to comment on the new charge Friday.
Walsh is on administrative leave from the Frankfort Polie Dept. without pay.
The village of Frankfort is taking Walsh's ex-girlfriend to court May 13 on a petition to force her to testify against Walsh before the village's police commission.
The woman was subpoenaed to testify at Walsh's disciplinary hearing in October but refused to answer questions about the incident once she took the stand and said, "I plead the Fifth."
Even though the lawyers for the village and commission told her she had to testify, that she was not in a criminal proceeding, nor at risk of incriminating herself — and therefore not protected by the Fifth Amendment — the woman refused to talk, saying she was doing what she felt was best for her children.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
