Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that a Joliet man was sentenced on Friday to 25 years in prison for attempted murder for slashing his wife’s throat three years ago.
Arthur Unger, 53, pleaded guilty in December to one count of Attempted Murder for cutting his wife’s throat during an argument on Aug. 29, 2015 at their residence in the 600 block of Plainfield Road.
The victim, who was holding their 1-year-old child when she was attacked, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, but she survived. The couple’s 11-year-old son, who was outside the residence but saw the attack, ran to a nearby Joliet fire station for help while another young son dialed 911.
A Joliet paramedic rushed to the residence on foot with the child, arriving several minutes before police and an ambulance, and he began administering life-saving emergency medical assistance to the victim.
Unger, meanwhile, fled the scene, but he was found by police hiding in bushes several blocks from his home.
“Arthur Unger is a career criminal whose brutal attack on his wife nearly claimed her life,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “This was a vicious crime committed in the presence of innocent children, two of whom acted quickly and bravely to alert authorities. This woman’s life was saved by tremendous acts of courage and compassion by these children and the paramedic, who ran toward danger with no concern for his own safety.”
Circuit Judge David Carlson handed down the sentence on Friday. The defendant, who faced between six and 30 years in prison, has a long criminal history that includes convictions for weapons violations, domestic battery, drug dealing, DUI, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The State’s Attorney praised Joliet police for quickly apprehending the defendant. He also credited Assistant State’s Attorneys Chris Koch and Elizabeth Domagalla for securing the guilty plea and sentence.