Judge sets bond for Bloomington man in felony domestic violence case

Posted on October 8, 2020
Allen Smith, 62, of Bloomington. (Photo courtesy: McLean County Jail)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man accused of choking a woman and holding a knife to her neck remains jailed, but the judge is allowing him to be released if he’s able to post bond.

Associate Judge Sarah Duffy set bond at $75,000, meaning Allen Smith, 62, can be released if he can come up with $7,500 in cash. Plus, he would have to wear an electronic monitoring device after police arrested him last month.

A prosecutor said in court Smith battered his girlfriend for several hours because he claimed the woman was cheating on him.

According to the prosecutor, Smith repeatedly strangled her with his hands to the point that she couldn’t breathe, and cut her neck with the knife. She was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, the prosecutor said.

The judge set bond for Smith after court officials conducted a risk assessment under “Diane’s Law” that aims to protect domestic violence victims.

An October 19 court hearing is scheduled in which the judge will decide whether to issue a protection order preventing Smith from having any contact with the woman.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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