Man stabbed in alley with screwdriver

Michael Owen, 24, of Aledo, plead guilty to a class 3 felony, Aggravated Battery on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Mercer County Court to stabbing a man with a screwdriver. The incident occurred Nov. 9, 2013. Mr. Owen stabbed Matthew Murphy once in the shoulder and once in the biceps in an alley behind an apartment complex in Matherville.

The guilty plea comes as part of a negotiated plea deal accepted by Judge Berglund in court. Mr. Owen is sentenced to two years Felony Conditional Discharge, pay court costs and restitution (reserved for 20 days as they contact the victim), 100 days jail, credit 14 days, balance of jail time is stayed pending strict compliance. The judge explained that if he does have a violation, he will be arrested and required to serve the jail time in Mercer County. He is also ordered to have no contact with Mr. Murphy.