Defendant pleads not guilty

A Dixon woman was released on her own recognizance during 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday. Chazara Swaney pleaded not guilty to felony charges of aggravated assault and false reports to a peace officer. According to charging documents, on January 15 Swaney was at a residence where officers responded to a possible assault. When they arrived, law enforcement found a man badly beaten on the porch. Swaney was identified by witnesses as wearing the same clothes as were seen on the assailant and she was found with blood on her forearms and shins. According to the documents, she attempted to implicate others for the crime on three separate occasions. During court, Swaney’s attorney Britt Cotter explained that there may have been a legitimate claim for self defense and that Swaney is a single mother with two kids at home. With no objection from the prosecution, Swaney was released. Judge James Manley set a trial date of August 8 for Swaney.

Jordan Keefe appeared in court Tuesday to fight a petition by the defense to revoke his parole. He was convicted for the felony charge of sexual intercourse without consent. Prosecutor Cheryl Copperstone called Officer Casey Eggam as a witness to testify. According to Eggam, Keefe has been harassing the legal guardian of Keefe’s child and has been posting disturbing videos through social media. Eggam reported that there have also been some probation violation issues. Eggam’s main concern was the decline in Keefe’s behavior. According to Eggam, Keefe has supposedly stopped taking medication for his mental illness, which was mandated by the court as a condition of his parole. Eggam added that he believes Keefe has the potential to be a danger to society. Eggam also mentioned that Keefe previously stated that he “wouldn’t hesitate to take a life.”

Probation and Parole Officer Lynn Bierwagen was called to testify by the prosecution. Bierwagen has been providing “courtesy supervision” for the defendant, who resides locally with his mother. According to Bierwagen, Keefe’s demeanor has changed since his supposed halt of medication. She also mentioned the videos, which she personally found disturbing enough to report to the court. Keefe’s attorney Kirk Krutilla called Keefe’s mother to the stand. According to her, “He is not a threat to anyone,” and when asked about any change in behavior, she reported there was none she could observe at home. Judge James Manley decided to find in favor of the prosecution, revoking Keefe’s parole for the violation of not taking the parole mandated medication. Keefe was taken into custody to continue to serve his sentence.