Aurora man gets 12 years for beating bicyclist

An Aurora man convicted of attempted murder in a 2015 fistfight has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

A Kane County judge Friday sentenced 56-year-old Darnell Wynn, of the 100 block of West Galena Boulevard. Prosecutors said he beat a bicyclist senseless and then punched the victim in the face and stomped on his head after he had lost consciousness.

After waiving his right to a jury trial, Wynn was convicted on Jan. 18 by Kane County Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr., on charges of attempted murder, and aggravated battery.

During the trial, prosecutors told the judge that about 9 p.m. Sept. 22, 2015, Wynn and his girlfriend were near the intersection of Middle Avenue and Cross Street in Aurora when the victim rode by on his bicycle.

Wynn and the victim exchanged words and then squared off for a fistfight. Wynn struck the man with a few punches before the victim fell to the ground.

After the victim lost consciousness, Wynn continued to punch him in the face and head 20 more times. At that point, a driver who had seen the fight stopped his car and yelled to Wynn, “Stop! You've won! You'll kill him!” The witness left to call 911.

Wynn then stomped on the victim's head 22 times, once with both feet, before he left.

The victim suffered multiple broken facial bones and was hospitalized for several months. He has permanent scarring and some memory loss and struggles with everyday activities and motor-skill impairment, prosecutors said.

Wynn must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He received credit for 540 days spent in the Kane County jail.