$500,000 bond stays for man accused of shooting girlfriend in the face

A Crystal Lake man accused of shooting his girlfriend in the face last weekend will not be jailed without bond while awaiting trial on charges he was trying to kill her, a McHenry County judge ruled Tuesday.

Judge Sharon Prather, however, rejected suspect Dale G. Barkstrom's motion she lower his $500,000 bond, ruling that the amount is appropriate given the accusations and lengthy prison sentence he would receive if found guilty.

Barkstrom, 28, faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm stemming from the Nov. 23 incident in which he told police his semi-automatic handgun accidentally fired as he was lying in bed with his 28-year-old girlfriend. The Crystal Lake man has been in custody at the McHenry County jail since his arrest on the charges last Tuesday, unable to post $50,000 cash needed to go free. The victim remains in an induced coma while recovering from surgery to treat a gunshot wound to her jaw, authorities said.

Barkstrom's attorney on Tuesday disputed authorities' contention that physical evidence from the scene contradicts his client's claims the shooting was an accident.

"It's a serious injury, but there's no evidence of intent," defense lawyer Alfred Stavros said.

Barkstrom, Stavros said, kept his gun under his mattress for home security. On the morning of the shooting, he said, one of Barkstrom's large dogs jumped on the bed, causing the firearm to fall to the floor. When Barkstrom reached over to retrieve the gun, it accidentally discharged, firing a shot into his girlfriend's face, Stavros said.

"That's what he told police right when they got there, those are the facts of the case, and they're never going to change," he said. "It's absolutely an unfortunate accident."

County prosectors initially charged Barkstrom with reckless discharge of a firearm, but upgraded the charges two days later.

In court Tuesday, Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs asked Prather to order Barkstrom held without bond, arguing that if released the suspect would pose a threat to the victim or could flee to avoid a minimum 21-year prison term if convicted.

"The defendant also made statements about being suicidal, which is indicative of him being unstable," Combs said.

Barkstrom is scheduled to return to court Jan. 6 for what likely will be an arraignment.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=253663">Police: Bedroom shooting in Crystal Lake no accident <span class="date">[11/25/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=253284">Crystal Lake woman shot in face <span class="date">[11/24/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>