Elgin student who stabbed teacher gets 5 years

A 16-year-old Elgin High School student could serve as little as 18 months in a juvenile facility and as much as 17 years in prison for stabbing a teacher.

Angel Facio was sentenced Wednesday to be held by the Illinois Department of Youth Corrections for the January stabbing of family and consumer science teacher Carolyn Gilbert.

If Facio violates any terms of his sentence while he is held by the juvenile system, he will be sent to adult prison to fulfill a 17-year sentence, Cook County Judge Edward Pietrucha said.

More Coverage Stories Testimony of Elgin High teacher Carolyn Gilberts

Yet, in 14 months, Department of Juvenile Justice officials will consider releasing Facio on probation, said his attorney, James Martin.

"They'll make an assessment then as to how he's doing. In that sense, they really hold a lot of power," Martin said.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney John Somerville said the state would oppose any sort of early release.

"We'll contest that," Somerville said, noting Gilbert is willing to testify again to keep the teen locked up.

Facio pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder charges in May. He faced six to 30 years in prison.

Gilbert, who lost her right eye in the Jan. 18 attack, testified at Wednesday's hearing in Rolling Meadows.

Reading from a prepared statement, Gilbert told the court of the emotional and physical trauma she has experienced since the attack.

Gilbert's hands trembled as she read the statement. Her voice cracked. She paused several times.

Suffering severe puncture wounds to the head and neck, Gilbert's right eye was removed Feb 1. She now wears a prosthetic piece.

In addition to burning scars, several eye surgeries and a loss of depth perception, Gilbert said she has not slept through the night in five months, and has trouble handling knives when cooking or eating.

"My carefree attitude has changed. My sense of safety has been affected. I always find myself looking behind me," she said.

"It is always in the back of my mind that he will come and get me when he gets out."

"I know," Gilbert concluded, "that he is a juvenile and being a high school teacher I would be the first to have an open mind and heart. But #8230; I'm seriously worried he will complete what he started with me and kill someone."

Facio offered his apologies to both the court and to Gilbert.

"I am very sorry. I wish to make it up to her, but I don't know how," the teen said. He now "takes full responsibility" for his actions.

Facio's mother, Sinthia, also apologized to Gilbert.

Last month, Somerville offered a deal where Facio would serve out a juvenile sentence with the possibility of 20 years in an adult prison if he violated the terms of that sentence.

Martin was unwilling to accept the state's offer.

"We wanted to be able to argue for less time," Martin said.

Citing neglectful parents, a chaotic home life and unanswered cries for help, Judge Paul Stralka April 30 kept Facio's case in juvenile court, instead of charging him as an adult. A juvenile sentence with an adult sentencing provision would "sufficiently protect the community," Stralka said.

Facio also faces charges in two Kane County incidents, one of them sexually assaulting an 8-year-old neighbor in August. He will appear in court July 1 on both sets of charges.

"You've destroyed many families," Pietrucha told the teen after handing him the sentence. "You've turned a place of learning into a place of violence. #8230; (Gilbert) is truly an innocent victim."

Facio will be taken to the Illinois Department of Youth Corrections facility in St. Charles in the coming days, Martin said.