Brother-In-Law Convicted In Cubs-Sox Beating
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (STMW) - An Elmwood Park man who blinded his brother-in-law in one eye by kicking him in the face during a child's birthday party faces up to five years in prison after being convicted of aggravated battery.
Boguslaw "Bob" Czapla remains free on bail until his Dec. 15 sentencing after a McHenry County jury convicted him of attacking 32-year-old Robert Steele when friendly banter between the men about the Cubs and White Sox abruptly turned violent.
Steele, a White Sox fan, was beaten and kicked in the face during the family party on July 19, 2008, losing his right eye and also suffering a broken nose and fractured orbital bone. Jurors deliberated Thursday for less than two hours before convicting the 39-year-old Czapla of aggravated battery and mob action for his role in the beating in northwest suburban Huntley.
Authorities said Steele was attacked by Czapla and two other men — all Cubs fans — after they first had teased him about his allegiance to the White Sox.
Czapla's brother, Jaroslaw "Jerry" Czapla, pleaded guilty earlier this year to mob action and was sentenced to six months in jail for his role in the beating. A third man charged in the attack remains a fugitive.
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