Elgin man receives probation for 2019 attack on woman
An Elgin man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months of probation for attacking a woman in Elgin last year.
Damian A. Failla, who is homeless, faced up to 10 years in prison after his Oct. 1 conviction on a charge of aggravated battery in a public way. Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Mark Stajdohar requested an eight-year term.
According to authorities, Failla and the woman, who also was homeless, were in a dispute Sept. 24, 2019, in Elgin. Failla saw the woman later that day, followed her after she told him to leave her alone, and then struck her several times in the head with an unknown metal object.
Failla, 36, has been held in jail since then.
Judge John Barsanti also ordered that Failla undergo anger management, substance abuse and psychiatric evaluations, and comply with any treatment recommended. Assistant Public Defender Britt Hawkins told the judge Failla has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The victim submitted a written statement to the court in which she said the attack has left her unable to trust people, especially men.
"I feel anyone is out to get me," she wrote. "I hope you get a big sentence from the judge."
Hawkins argued that while Failla has prior convictions for burglary, robbery and retail theft, he'd held a job since he was released from prison in 2014. He had one other criminal conviction in that time, on a misdemeanor charge of resisting a peace officer.