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| Jeffery McKeown (inset) and a police unit guarding blood evidence at the scene of the battery. | CPD; Provided |
A Wisconsin man is facing felony charges in connection with a post-Cubs game battery that left a local man in critical condition, police said.
Jeffery McKeown, 44, of Franksville was initially released without being charged in the case, according to the police department’s Office of News Affairs. But things changed and McKeown returned to Chicago last week to turn himself into police.
The victim, who lives in North Center, was in the 3900 block of North Clark Street following the team’s October 1st loss to the Milwaukee Brewers when two men stepped out of a large black SUV and struck him in the face, police said. The man fell backward, hit his head on the pavement, and lost consciousness, according to police. He was reported in critical condition at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center that night.
Witnesses reported that the SUV had Wisconsin license plates and at least some of the occupants of the vehicle were wearing Milwaukee Brewers jerseys. McKeown was initially arrested about 30 minutes after the incident when he returned to the scene in the SUV, police said.
A police spokesperson said on October 2nd that both men who had been taken into custody were released without charges. Court records show that McKeown turned himself in at Area North Headquarters on the evening of October 3rd.
Prosecutors charged him with one felony count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Police said he had been identified as the man who punched the victim in the face, causing the victim to fall backward.
The victim suffered a right orbital cheek fracture and microscopic fractures on the back of his head, according to court filings.
Judge Mary Marubio set bail for McKeown at $30,000. He was able to secure his release by posting a $3,000 deposit, according to county records.
