By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Serious domestic violence cases have been on the rise in McLean County since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a case filed this week in which a Bloomington man is accused of repeatedly choking a woman and holding a knife to her neck.
A McLean County judge ordered Allen Smith, 62, to be jailed without bond while court officials conduct a risk assessment.
In court, a prosecutor said Smith battered his girlfriend for several hours Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning because he claimed the woman was cheating on him.
The prosecutor said Smith repeatedly strangled her with his hands to the point that she couldn’t breathe, and cut her neck with the knife.
Authorities said the victim was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.
Smith is charged aggravated domestic abuse by strangulation, aggravated battery with a knife, and domestic battery as a subsequent offense. Smith faces up to 14-years in prison if he’s found guilty on the most serious charge because he’s on probation for a 2017 theft conviction.
McLean County prosecutors said they are averaging an estimated one-to-two domestic violence cases a week in which they seek to protect victims under “Diane’s Law,” about a four-fold increase prior to the pandemic, said Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Koll, who prosecutes these cases.
A bond review hearing is scheduled next Wednesday, and prosecutors are expected to recommend Smith wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet if he’s allowed to post bond.
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