IN THE NEWS

Bond reduced for man accused of firing gun

By BRANDON COUTRE -
January 29, 2008

WOODSTOCK – A man who allegedly opened fire in a Woodstock bar earlier this month was expected to be released from the McHenry County Jail after a judge reduced his bond to $10,000 Tuesday.

Luis R. Rivera, 40, of 7301 Falls Lane, Wonder Lake, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and aggravated assault in connection with a Jan. 10 incident at Duffy’s Bar Inc., 223 N. Benton St.

Police said Rivera fired shots outside at the bar’s facade and then inside at the ceiling after an altercation with a bartender and other patrons.

Rivera’s bond previously was set at $30,000.

In the call for a lower bond, defense attorney George Kililis said that if released, Rivera could return to work with a moving company to help support his 18-month-old son.

“That alone should guarantee he won’t go anywhere,” Kililis said, referring to Rivera’s son who was in the courtroom. “He has ties to the community.”

Prosecutors objected to the reduced bond, calling Rivera’s employment sporadic and stressing that he endangered the public by shooting.

In agreeing to lower the bond, Judge Joseph Condon noted Rivera’s lack of a criminal record and the level of the charges, which are probation eligible.