Supermercado Disorderly Conduct Defendant Wants To Plead Guilty

JOLIET, IL — It's not uncommon for Will County criminal defendants to delay their court proceedings, three, four, five years or longer before going to trial or entering a guilty plea. Shaun Matheny wants to be the exception.

Just one week after the 40-year-old Joliet homeless man was arrested following a violent attack at the Supermercado grocery store, Matheny is ready to resolve his case and enter a guilty plea.

"Now comes the defendant Shaun W. Matheny and requests this honorable court move up his court date," Matheny wrote Will County court officials. "The defendant is ready to plea blind and resolve this case as soon as possible. Defendant is in the custody of the Will County Sheriff at 95 South Chicago Street."

The Will County Clerk of Circuit Court received Matheny's letter on Thursday. Matheny has remained in the Will County Jail, facing a $15,000 bail, since 6 p.m. March 9.

According to the criminal complaint: Matheny, without legal justification, punched two men and one woman in the face on March 9 at the Supermercado grocery store at the corner Cass and Collins Streets. Matheny also spat in the face of one of the men, his charges reflect.

In addition to four counts of battery, Matheny also faces one count of disorderly conduct.

"Defendant knowingly said he would shoot up the hospital while striking other security officers in such unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another," prosecutors stated.

Last week, Joliet Patch reported that Joliet police cars responded to Supermercado, 379 East Cass St. for a fight around 12:40 p.m.

"Matheny arrived at the store in an intoxicated state and threatened to kill an employee," Joliet police reports show.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Angry, Violent Man Vows To Kill Several At Supermercado Joliet: JPD