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jt -HERALD SECTION 2 INDEX SEC SHAW FREE PRESS MEDIA, INC. - ; BBBIR Clisiifiedf Sports IP ' Diaz gets involuntary manslaughter By Angela Burden Plaindealer Herald News Service 9 A guilty verdict on in­ voluntary manslaughter was returned last Friday by a 12- member jury against 22-year- old Manuel Herrera Diaz, who had been standing trial in a week-long murder case. Herrera Diaz was accused of the murder of 24-year-old Rodney Jenkins of Woodstock, who was killed during a fight on er on drunken drivers ByJeffHinton Plaindealer Herald Newt Service Drunken drivers arrested in McHenry County this year face stiffer penalties than in previous years and, according to county policy, their future will not get better. McHenry County Sheriff's Police Sgt. George B. Corson, director of the county's alcohol safety program, said his main concern is reducing the number of drinking-related traffic ac­ cidents. Corson pointed to the Illinois Comprehensive Safety Project that gives county and local police additional money to put extra patrols out on weekends.. "Everything is, working fine," Corson said. "We filc^d for another grant and should receive additional funding soon." Each year, McHenry County task force officers arrest bet­ ween 250 and 300 drunken drivers. The average blood alcohol level of the driver arrested is between .19 and .24, Corson said. While McHenry County driving under the the influence (DUI) arrests are up over last year's arrests, Corson said punishment is not enough. His goal is to build a public education program that will make drivers aware of the seriousness of DUI offenses. The McHenry DUI project, a privately funded branch of Illinois Family Services, han­ dles most convicted DUI drivers. Ten hours of remedial education is required as part of the court sentence, project director Douglas Bell said. "Our job, through lecturing* and counseling, is to make the person understand that he has a problem and that it can be worked out," Bell said. With the courts' backing, Bell is able to obtain a person's previous record, something previous laws would not allow. "I can find out whether he's a second offender or not, and I can find out whether he is lying or not (about his drinking recor- d)," Bell said. "Before, DUI was not foremost in the public eye. You'd get arrested and the judge would give you a slap on the wrist. But now, with stricter laws and stepped-up patrols, you're going to get caught and the sentencing is going to be tough," Bell said. The General Assembly last year passed three new drunken driving laws, one of which gives police access to information on a person's previous arrest record. Two other laws require a 48- hour jail sentence pr 10 days of community service for a second conviction. A mandatory seven- day jail sentence or 30 days of community service is imposed on people driving on a revoked license. According to an Illinois state transportation report, more than $3 million will be spent this year on alcohol enforcement programs. the sidewalk of Woodstock city square Dec. 26, 1984. A conviction of involuntary manslaughter carries a two-to- five-year term of imprisonment or a term of probation, depen­ ding on the pre-sentence repo rts received by the presiding judge. The prosecution in the trial, before Judge Roland Herrmann in 19th Judicial Circuit Court, presented as evidence the butcher-type knife Herrera Diaz reportedly used to stab the victim. Jenkins died of a single stab wound to his chest, which went through a lung and cut his aorta. Assistant State's Attorney Steven McArdle told the jury that Herrera Diaz stabbed Jenkins with the knowledge that Lung association schedules speaker The American Lung Association of DuPage and McHenry # Counties, in cooperation with Northern Illinois Medical Center, will be holding the next "PAL" (Problems A#ftitling' fstwgST Breathing Club meeting on Tuesday April 23. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in room one of the old facility of the Northern Illinois Medical Center (3516 W. Waukegan Rd.). The meeting is open to anyone ex­ periencing respiratory problems and their families. The speaker will be August Rossetti, first vice-president of the American, Lung Association of. DuPage and McHenry Counties and fellow member of the College of Chest Physicians. explain allergies, how they are diagnosed and treated, to "PAL" members and will discuss how they affect a person with respiratory problems. He will also answer specific questions that anyone might ha ve in relation to their lung disorder. The purpose of the meeting is to better inform people about respiratory illnesses and how they can help themselves to breathe easier. Anyone in­ terested in allergies and respiratory problems is., welcome to attend: The program is free-of-charge and made possible through the public's support of Christmas Seals. For more information contact the American Lung Association of DuPage and McHenry Counties, in Woodstock at 338- 6675. (QQUDXEN mm mtLW $ AIX sm uaM) Enjoy pillows by Whiting®with natural filling. Buoyant,long last­ ing comfort. In standard queen, king. Odorless and mildew resistant. Goose feather pillow. Standard Reg.20.00 Queen Reg.23.00 King Reg.26.00 Crystal Lake & St.Charles Only. rzrf:.:' •: y " a • -h. •. s CRYSTAL LAKE ST.CHARLES • •••• "-••• his action would cat a strong probability of de th or ^reat bodily harm. Defense c ansel Robert Wilbrandt contended that Herrera Diaz was viciously attacked by Jenkins and his companions on the night of the incident. ' He told the jury that the defendant acted in self-defense 'when going to the aid of a companion. According to testimony during the trial, Jenkins and three companions were walking near the Diaz apartment entrance where Diaz and some friends were standing, when words were exchanged between the two groups and a fight ensued. Testimony showed that Diaz ran up the stairs to his apart­ ment and came back to the sidewalk with the knife, which he said was used to warn the four men. Diaz testified that he took the knife to warn the men, and, as he was being attacked, the knife accidentally entered Jenkins' body. The jury was given in­ structions on several verdicts Friday, including murder, manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter. The jurors deliberated about three hours before returning their verdict on the lesser charge. Judge Herrmann has set May 8 for sentencing and May 6 for legal arguments on post-trial motions. The board of directors of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce prepares to contact the general membership for participation in the Fiesta Days Guide. Chamber Secietary Doris Plaindealer Herald photd by Anthony Oliver Andreas issues a card as each business is requested by a board membpr, to eliminate duplication of contacts. \ "> Fiesta Guide being prepared "it annually published by the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce in order that residents throughout the McHenry area will nave all the details of each Fiesta Days event right in hand. A total of 17,000 copies will be published and 16,000 copies will be mailed to the greater McHenry area: 60060, 60097 and 60072 zip codes. Because there are many events scheduled within the eight days of Fiesta, scheduled for July 21-28, the Fiesta Days board wants to assure that every resident has the times, places and details of all events for their maximum enjoyment. The guide also presents an opportunity for McHenry area nr t i iTi l f r ^ l" and services. The guide has become a rounded reference representing all that McHenry has to offer. The opportunity for par­ ticipation m the guide will be available throughout the month of April. Complete information can be obtained by calling 385- 4300. Baggies For Girls 18.99 Vour choice, of Lee " London Rider & Stripe Baggies 100% Cotton 7-14 Reg 26.00-27.00 18.99 Lee" for Preteens Reg 27 00 7 19.99 m I % Spring Hill Crystal Lake St. Charles Charge it1 We welcome your Sp'ess Charge. Visa. MasterCard & American rxpress.