SHOREWOOD — James Hamilton, a 63-year-old Shorewood man from the 300 block of Arrowhead Drive, regained his freedom on Christmas even though Will County prosecutors wanted the strangling defendant kept in the Will County Jail until trial.

Shorewood police took Hamilton away in handcuffs during the early morning hours of Christmas Eve in connection with allegations he tried to strangle a woman at his home in Shorewood.

The Shorewood man had been threatening the woman’s life during the prior two weeks, court documents show. Hamilton also put his finger on her head and told her, “I’m going to put a bullet through your skull,” prosecutors told the judge, adding, “The defendant admitted to pushing (the woman) but denied the other allegations. He also stated he got the rifle from his uncle.”

According to the criminal complaint, Hamilton is charged with five crimes: two counts of domestic battery, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and one charge of aggravated domestic battery.

The complaint said Hamilton tried to strangle the woman inside the home during the early morning hours of Dec. 24 and that he has a 2010 felony conviction for theft in Will County. Because of the conviction, he was not supposed to possess the .22 caliber Marlin rifle that the Shorewood police confiscated during the domestic violence call.

Prosecutors tried to keep Hamilton in custody, saying that on Christmas Eve, Shorewood police were sent to Arrowhead Drive and officers met with a woman near the house, and she informed them of a family fight inside. The victim later told the officers that she and Hamilton were arguing about money and alcohol, and Hamilton threatened to blow her brains out.

She told police that she hid the rifle that was in the bedroom, and Hamilton put his hands around her neck while applying pressure, according to prosecutors.

Hamilton also pushed the woman, but he stopped the attack when Shorewood police showed up, according to officials.

Shorewood police noted that they confiscated Hamilton’s Marlin rifle and the weapon was loaded. A second .22-caliber rifle was found in the garage of the Will County convicted felon, court files show.

Even though the prosecution’s petition to deny pretrial release was rejected, Will County Judge Shenonda Tisdale imposed electronic monitoring on Hamilton, and he must have no contact with the victim, the victim’s daughter and Hamilton’s home on Arrowhead Drive.

The convicted felon must also surrender all of his guns within 48 hours, the judge’s order indicated. As for other pretrial conditions, “Absolute Sobriety,” the judge wrote.