Jury: Convicted killer battered girlfriend

BELLEVILLE -- A convicted killer faces up to 16 years in prison after being found guilty in southwestern Illinois of punching his girlfriend in the face and hitting her in the leg with a baseball bat.

A St. Clair County jury deliberated less than an hour Wednesday before convicting 52-year-old Anthony Drakes of Swansea of aggravated battery and domestic battery.

Drakes’ four previous felony convictions include murder and armed robbery in Cook County.

Drakes’ sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20. St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly says his office will seek the maximum punishment.

A judge on Wednesday revoked Drakes’ bond at the prosecutor’s request.