Plainfeld Road Attempted Murderer Draws Long Prison Term

JOLIET, IL - A 53-year-old Joliet man who used a knife to slash his wife's throat a little more than three years ago at their house on Plainfield Road was sentenced Friday morning by Will County Circuit Court Judge Dave Carlson to spend 25 years at the Illinois Department of Corrections. Friday marked the conclusion of this week's sentencing hearing for convicted criminal Arthur Unger.

According to the Will County State's Attorney's Office, the victim was holding their 1-year-old child when she was attacked on Aug. 29, 2015. She suffered life-threatening injuries, but survived the attack. The couple’s 11-year-old son ran to a nearby Joliet fire station for help while another young son dialed 911.

A Joliet paramedic ran to the house with the child, arriving several minutes before police and an ambulance, and he began administering life-saving emergency medical assistance to the victim, prosecutors say.

“Arthur Unger is a career criminal whose brutal attack on his wife nearly claimed her life,” said State’s Attorney James 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.”

Unger had previously pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder; several of his other lesser-included felony offenses were dismissed under the agreement with Will County prosecutors.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office explained that in exchange for the defendant's guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to cap their recommended sentence at 25 years for Unger's the attempted murder count.

Unger will receive credit for time served. He has remained incarcerated at the Will County Jail since his arrest in August 2015. However, he will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his 25-year prison sentence. In all likelihood, Unger may not get out of prison until he is around 70.

Unger faced a prison term ranging 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, prosecutors noted.

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.

Mugshot of Arthur Unger via Will County Sheriff