Elgin Attacker Found Guilty for Severely Beating His Live-in Girlfriend

A 69-year-old Elgin man now faces between six and 30 years in prison after a Kane County judge found him guilty Tuesday of severely beating his live-in girlfriend at their apartment in June 2014, prosecutors said.

James E. Bell, of the 400 block of South Belmont Street in Elgin, was convicted of aggravated domestic battery, a class 2 felony, and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor, by Kane County Associate Judge David P. Kliment. Bell waived his right to a jury trial.

The allegations stem from an argument that began between Bell and his girlfriend on June 12, 2014 in the apartment they shared. The girlfriend went into the bathroom during the argument and Bell followed her, pushing her into the bathtub, according to a Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release.

She was able to get out of the tub and went back into the living room where Bell grabbed her upper body and threw her onto the sofa, according to the news release. He grabbed her again and threatened to kill her.

Another resident in the apartment tried to pull Bell off the woman and the woman attempted to escape the apartment. Bell proceeded to grab her by her hair, flung her into the kitchen where she struck the dishwasher and fell to the floor. The woman was able to call a friend who then called police.

The victim suffered three pelvic fractures and continues to deal with the aftermath from injuries, according to the news release.

Bell is next expected in court on April 15 at 1:30 p.m. for a sentencing hearing. He faces between six and 30 years in prison.

Bell had been free on a $2,450 bond prior to his conviction. That bond was revoked and Bell was taken into custody at the Kane County Jail.

“Domestic violence affects everyone, and that is one reason we will pursue these cases aggressively. Mr. Bell’s physical attack was cowardly, and he must understand that violence in the home is unacceptable and there are consequences for it,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.