Ex-cop's conviction in brawl overturned

An Illinois appeals court has overturned the conviction of an ex-Richmond police officer who authorities say beat a handcuffed Wisconsin man in a bar fight while off duty.

Brian Quilici of Lisle was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted on multiple felonies for his role in an April 2005 dust-up outside KC's Cabin in Fox Lake.

A state appeals court overturned that verdict, saying McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather improperly instructed jurors.

Quilici's fate is now in the hands of the McHenry County state's attorney's office.

"We will be in the process of reviewing the decision with (appellate prosecutors) and determining whether they should ask the (Illinois) Supreme Court to review the appellate decision," McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi said Thursday.

If prosecutors decide against appealing the decision, the state's attorney's office will retry the case, Bianchi said.

Quilici had argued he should receive a new trial because the judge erroneously told jurors the officer was out of his jurisdiction.

Steve Wiltgen, attorney for Quilici, told an appellate court panel in Elgin last month that the jury in Quilici's trial needed to know he was "legitimately acting" as a police officer, not a civilian. Quilici and two former Spring Grove police officers who were also involved in the fight have testified they were acting in self-defense after Ryan Hallett threatened a woman with a knife.

Richard London, state's attorney appellate prosecutor, argued last month that it was irrelevant what the judge told the jury in the 2005 trial. London said duty officers have an obligation to act if they see a potential crime taking place. But London stressed that Quilici's actions "escalated" the situation.

Quilici's attorney could not be reached for comment late Thursday afternoon.

In a civil case, a federal jury on Monday found Quilici responsible for the injuries Hallett suffered during the brawl, including a fractured eye socket. The jury ordered Quilici to pay Hallett $450,000.

The felony convictions of the former Spring Grove officers were previously overturned, and they later pleaded guilty to misdemeanors. The officers also settled with Hallett before the civil trial for an undisclosed amount.

Overturned: County prosecutor to decide whether to appeal