Prosecutors argue 'severe bodily injury' prompts longer punishment in St. Charles beating, shooting
Kane County prosecutors will argue that a former St. Charles man acquitted of attempted murder should be eligible for consecutive sentences for two other felonies he was convicted of because he caused "severe bodily injury" to the victim, his ex-wife.
If a judge agrees, it could increase the maximum punishment for Scott J. Turyna from 15 years in prison to up to 22 years when he is sentenced March 23.
After a weeklong trial, a Kane County jury convicted Turyna, 66, last month of aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery in the May 2016 beating of his now ex-wife at their former east side St. Charles home.
At trial, prosecutors argued that Turyna tried to kill his then wife when he fired five shots outside their home with a .40-caliber revolver before he was tackled and disarmed by a neighbor who was walking his dog.
The woman testified at trial that she was hospitalized for four days after the attack and her right shoulder was in a sling for two months.
"The first time I looked at my face, I didn't know it was me standing there," she testified. "I didn't recognize myself."
Defense attorneys argued that Turyna was just trying to scare the woman.
In most cases, a defendant guilty of more than one felony is sentenced for the most severe charge, and all other sentences are served concurrently.
Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams argues that the law requires a judge to sentence a defendant to consecutive terms if the defendant was found guilty of a murder or a Class 1 felony - and the defendant inflicted "severe bodily injury."
The punishment range for aggravated domestic battery is probation to up to seven years in prison.
At trial, prosecutors showed photos of the woman's head and facial injuries, noting that she suffered two broken bones in her shoulder, a broken nose and finger, and a concussion.
"It is evident (the victim) suffered severe bodily injury at the hands of the defendant," the motion argues. "What remains then, is only for this court to explicitly make that finding on the record."
Turyna is being held at the Kane County jail without bond.