By Art Barnum
Chicago Tribune
Copyright 2008 Chicago Tribune
CLARENDON HILLS, Ill. — A man who apparently jumped or fell from a moving Metra passenger train in February after missing his stop in Clarendon Hills pleaded guilty Monday to verbally abusing and spitting on a paramedic trying to treat him.
Robert Stuart, 69, was to be released from the DuPage County Jail on Monday.
Stuart, who previously listed his address at an Ogden Avenue motel in Clarendon Hills, was seen jumping from the train shortly before 4 p.m. Feb. 6, about 100 feet west of the train station, authorities said.
Mark May, 55, who police said lived at the same motel, was with Stuart and also apparently jumped or fell from the train. According to a police report, the men appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic, and Stuart had two packages of white powder, believed to be heroin, in his pocket when he was found.
Stuart was charged with aggravated battery after he spat in the face of a paramedic who found Stuart semiconscious along the rails and helped put him in an ambulance, Assistant DuPage County State’s Atty. Thomas O’Connor said. Stuart also was accused of trespassing on railroad property, but that charge was dropped Monday after he was sentenced to 24 months of conditional discharge and the 83 days he already had served in the County Jail.
Stuart, who wears a body brace, told Judge George Bakalis last month that May was is in critical condition because of head injuries he suffered in the incident. May’s current condition is unavailable, but he has never been charged with a crime.
Police reports state that the two forced open the door of the train as it was moving at 20 to 25 m.p.h. and either fell or jumped.