Former Barrington man gets 23 years in 2011 Schaumburg robbery
A man beaten so badly he suffered a fractured spine, cracked ribs, partly collapsed lung and fractured thyroid cartilage asked during a court hearing Friday that his attacker be taken "off the streets as long as possible."
Cook County Judge Bridget Hughes obliged William Mallette's request, sentencing attacker Mitchell Barnes to 23 years in prison for the beating and robbery, which took place about 1 a.m. Aug. 13, 2011, at the Homewood Studio Suites in Schaumburg.
Jurors in August convicted Barnes, 22, of home invasion and robbery but acquitted the Barrington High School graduate and former Harper College student of attempted first-degree murder.
"I am constantly reminded of that brutal attack," said Mallette, 46, "whether it be from the daily physical pain, the consistent fear of being alone in my own home, the nightmares or frequent anxiety attacks while being in group settings ... or even walking to my car in the early morning hours."
Barnes, formerly of Barrington, apologized to Mallette and the court.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I promise you nothing like this will ever happen again."
"I've lost so much. My whole family has lost so much. Give me a chance to make it up," said Barnes, who was staying at the same hotel as Mallette.
Several witnesses testified that Barnes came up with the plan to rob Mallette, who was staying in the room across the hall from one of Barnes' friends.
Police say Barnes knocked on Mallette's door about 1 a.m., pushed his way inside, then tackled, punched and choked Mallette while co-defendant Joseph K. Stein took the victim's money clip containing cash and credit cards. Stein pleaded guilty to robbery and testified against Barnes. In exchange for his cooperation, he was sentenced to six years in prison with a recommendation for boot camp.
Hughes sentenced Barnes to 18 years in prison for the home invasion and five years in prison for robbery. She ordered the sentences by served consecutively. Barnes, who received credit for a little more than three years in custody, must complete at least 85 percent of the sentences before he is eligible for parole.
Barnes testified he struck Mallette in self-defense after Mallette tried to sexually assault him. Mallette denied the allegations.
Defense attorney Nenye Uche said he was disappointed with the verdict and the sentence but indicated Barnes has strong grounds for appeal.
Pointing out that Barnes had no criminal background, not even an arrest, and is a good candidate for rehabilitation, Uche argued for minimum sentences to be served concurrently.
"He comes to you - with the exception of this case - with a clean slate," Uche said. This despite being given up for adoption by his biological parents and enduring molestation as a child, Uche said, while Barnes sat alone at the defense table with his face in his hands.
Neither Barnes' adoptive father, an attorney who served as Uche's co-counsel during the trial, nor his adoptive mother attended the sentencing.
Assistant State's Attorney Susanne Groebner argued that Mallette's life-threatening injuries required a substantial prison sentence. "(Barnes) walked in with a great deal of rage and a great deal of anger," she said. Mallette "was pummeled until he passed out."
Mallette, who lives out of state and continues to recover from his injuries, expressed satisfaction with the sentence.