Aggravated Domestic Battery in Will County -> Not Guilty

​​Our Client, Ed, was charged with aggravated domestic battery charging great bodily harm after he was allegedly involved in an incident with his brother in Will County.

​At trial, Ed’s brother testified that Ed punched him in the face, which resulted in multiple cheek and nose fractures. The State introduced pictures of these injuries.

On cross-examination of Ed’s brother, we introduced a certified copy of a criminal disposition where Ed’s brother was previously convicted of an aggravated domestic battery. 

Ed testified that his brother was the aggressor and punched Ed in the face. Ed testified that although he tried to defend himself he still ended up with a black eye and marks on his face. 

During closing argument, we argued that Ed’s brother’s testimony was not believable. We further argued that whatever contact Ed made with his brother was in self-defense. Moreover, we argued that under the law, Ed’s self-defense claim was bolstered because his brother had a prior conviction for aggravated domestic battery. We argued that the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ed committed any battery. 

​Ed was found not guilty of aggravated domestic battery as well as all misdemeanor battery counts.