Three convicted in Elgin hotel brawl

A Kane County judge convicted three Chicago residents, and acquitted a fourth, Friday on charges stemming from a New Year's Day melee at an Elgin hotel.

Breacella Triplett, 26, Jason M. Allen, 23, and Natasha D. Allen, 22, each were convicted of mob action stemming from the early-morning incident at the Holiday Inn Elgin.

Lester W. Triplett, 24, was found not guilty of the same charge.

The same altercation led to a battery conviction in July for former Elgin police officer Kevin Darr. Darr, who resigned from the force in June, was accused of beating a handcuffed suspect while coming to the aid of his father, a hotel security guard.

Elgin police officers James Wilson and Jason Barnard testified Friday they responded to reports of a brawl on the hotel's the eighth floor about 2 a.m. New Year's Day.

Both officers said the defendants approached them in a threatening manner while screaming obscenities.

The defendants testified they were not angry at the officers, but were concerned about relatives who were under arrest and on the floor nearby.

Kane County Judge Kevin Busch did not believe that testimony, however, telling Jason Allen "I believe you were one of the instigators (of the melee)."

Busch sentenced Allen to pay a $500 fine, perform 120 community service hours and 12 months of conditional discharge.

Breacella Triplett was sentenced to 12 months of supervision, 30 hours of community service and a $500 fine.

Allen's sister, Natasha Allen, was given a $350 fine with 80 hours of community service and 12 months of conditional discharge.

Busch acquitted Lester Triplett after witnesses testified he retreated from the altercation when officers asked him to back off.