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Prosecutor testifies about Schaumburg hotel attack

A Cook County assistant state's attorney testified Thursday that Mitchell Barnes made statements implicating himself in a 2011 attack on a resident of the Homestead Studio Suites in Schaumburg.

Barnes, 22, is charged with attempted murder, home invasion and robbery in the attack that seriously injured William Mallette, 46. Mallette suffered spine and rib fractures, a partly collapsed lung and fractured thyroid cartilage as a result of the attack on Aug. 13, 2011, during which prosecutors say co-defendant Joseph Stein took Mallette's money clip containing cash and credit cards.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Michael O'Malley testified he interviewed Barnes at the Schaumburg police station on Aug. 18, 2011.

O'Malley read for jurors a summary of the statement he said the 2011 Barrington High School graduate and former Harper College student made that day. Barnes, who was staying at the Homestead Suites, said a friend who also lived at the hotel texted him about an exchange he and several others had earlier while smoking with Mallette outside the hotel, O'Malley said.

According to O'Malley, Barnes stated his friend told him Mallette showed them his money clip with $500, inquired about buying cocaine, “hit on” Stein and made racist remarks to another friend, Gerard Goldsten.

Barnes told O'Malley he went to the friend's room where the other three were drinking, “smoking weed” and talking about Mallette, who lived across the hall. They discussed Barnes knocking on the door and tackling the man with help from Stein, while Goldsten stole the money clip and the other friend stood as lookout, O'Malley said. Goldsten has not been charged.

In his statement, Barnes said he tackled, punched and choked Mallette and “stomped on his spine with his heel” while Stein grabbed something from the counter, O'Malley said. Barnes stated Mallette groped him, which upset Barnes, who claimed he had been the victim of a sexual assault, O'Malley said.

“He regrets the whole thing,” said O'Malley, reading from the statement. “The only purpose was to get money.” On Wednesday, defense attorney Nenye Uche questioned Mallette about inconsistent statements he made to police about the circumstances surrounding the attack, the time, the number of attackers and his response. Mallette testified he couldn't remember what he said due to his excruciating pain. He also denied inquiring about drugs or inviting Stein, Goldsten and their friend to his room to use drugs.

Barnes is expected to testify in his own defense Friday.

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