An Avondale man who was facing attempted murder charges for attacking a 79-year-old jogger near the Diversey driving range in September 2018 received a sweet deal from prosecutors.
Rokas Ablacinskas, 23, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated battery of a person over age 60. In exchange, he received a sentence of two years probation and prosecutors dropped charges of attempted murder and three other felonies.
Shortly after 5 a.m. on September 29, 2018, Ablacinskas punched the 79-year-old Lakeview man in the back of the head as the victim jogged in Lincoln Park near Diversey. The victim fought back as Ablacinskas choked him, bit him, and threatened to kill him on the jogging trail, prosecutors said.
A witness reported hearing the victim yell, “I’m an 80-year-old man!” as he battled Ablacinskas.
The victim, who was living with Parkinson’s disease, broke away from Ablacinskas twice before getting help at a nearby condo building.
Police found Ablacinskas sleeping on a patch of grass in the park a short time later and took him into custody. The victim told police he’d never seen Ablacinskas before in his life.
Prosecutors and police did not suggest any motive for the attack.
