Charges Dropped for Deadly Party Bet Punch

Charges were dismissed this morning against a woman in Will County being accused of fatally striking a man who accepted a $5 bet to take a punch from her. She had been on trial charged with reckless conduct and battery, accused of punching a man in the face at a Crest Hill party last fall. The house party was held to celebrate the life of a woman who had committed suicide.

Today a judge ordered the charges dropped, saying that in her case, negligence did not meet the legal standard for recklessness.

Evidence of a cell phone video recording shown at her bench trial showed the punch, followed by the young man staggering back several steps. Law enforcement said he died minutes later from an artery that burst in his neck.

Contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney today if you need skilled legal representation to fight against the charges you are facing.