Battery Charges Dismissed Against Tio Hardiman

Wife of former CeaseFire Illinois leader drops charges

Prosecutors say they've dismissed a domestic battery charge against the former head of a Chicago anti-violence group after his wife said she wanted the charges dropped.

Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Lisa Gordon says the office also terminated the order of protection. They say Tio Hardiman's wife said during a court hearing Tuesday that she no longer wanted it. Gordon says Hardiman's wife told the judge she loves her husband and wants to work on their marriage.

Hardiman was arrested in May and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after his wife reported he punched and kicked her. Hardiman has denied the allegations.

After Hardiman's arrest, the parent organization of the group that Hardiman headed, CeaseFire Illinois, announced it would not renew his contract when it expired June 30.

Prosecutors alleged that an argument concerning "family matters" led to Hardiman's wife being struck in the head, back, neck, face and torso.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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