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Lombard man gets 6½ years in BlackFinn stabbing

Editors note: The story incorrectly stated Hearn recieved credit for 250 days The correct number is 650.

A Lombard man was sentenced to 6½ years in prison Friday for the March 2011 stabbing of a bouncer at Naperville's BlackFinn American Saloon.

Adam Hearn, 33, was convicted in October of armed violence after DuPage County Judge George Bakalis acquitted him of attempted murder and armed violence charges.

Hearn knifed Sean Brutto during a melee that erupted when Hearn and his date were caught smoking in the women's restroom.

The fracas broke out after Brutto grabbed Hearn by the arm to escort him from the building and Hearn responded by slugging him in the face, authorities said.

Hearn then jabbed Brutto in the abdomen with a pocketknife as the victim — a former wrestler — tried to put him in a “guillotine chokehold.”

Prosecutors pointed to Hearn's previous attempted murder and drug convictions as they sought the full 10-year sentence. Hearn begged Bakalis for mercy.

Hearn told Bakalis he had too much to drink that night and did not even know the extent of the damage he caused to Brutto until much later.

“I had no right to do that to him. He was doing his job and was going to school and doing all the things I once had a chance to do but passed up because of the gang life,” Hearn said. “I'm sorry. I know I can't, but I wish I could take it all back. I've made some poor decisions in my life and I'm sick of it. Please have mercy.”

Bakalis said he considered the hardship placed on the mother of Hearn's two young daughters by his incarceration and the steps Hearn has taken in jail to control his anger management issues. But ultimately, he said, Hearn did “extensive harm” and “used a knife to inflict serious injuries on Brutto.”

Hearn must serve half his sentence and has earned credit for the 650 days he has already served in the DuPage County jail since his arrest.

Ultimately he will serve little more than 1½ years in prison.

“All along we have asked the judge for mercy in this case and this is a fair sentence,” defense attorney David Imielski said. “He will use this time to consider to better himself.”

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