Son Fatally Punches Dad For Walking In On Girlfriend During Bath Time

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, IL — A jury this week found a northern Kane County man not guilty of first-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter but convicted him of aggravated domestic battery in his father's February 2016 death. Daniel Rak, 31, admitted that he was angry and struck his father, Jeffrey Rak, in the head multiple times after the older man walked into a bathroom that was occupied by Daniel Rak's girlfriend.

Prosecutors said the fatal altercation happened on Feb. 11, 2016, at the father and son's home in the 13N block of Engel Road in Burlington Township. Daniel Rak hit his father, 58-year-old Jeffrey Rak, in the a face and head, breaking his nose and causing him to exclaim, "My nose!" prosecutors said. Daniel Rak later admitted that his father's nose was bleeding and that for two days after the incident his dad continued to hold a rag to his nose.

During the six-day trial, prosecutors said Daniel Rak was angry that his father, allegedly a severe alcoholic, walked in on his girlfriend while she was talking a bath and saw her naked, according to the Daily Herald. The younger Rak reportedly told police he went into his father's bedroom and threw an empty vodka bottle at him before punching him at least twice in the face. He said he talked to his father the next day and patched things up.

But at around 3:30 a.m. on Valentine's Day 2016, Daniel Rak found his father unresponsive on the floor of the downstairs bathroom. Authorities said Jeffrey Rak's face and head showed bruising and swelling, and he had dried blood on his face. He was pronounced dead shortly after first responders arrived at the home.

Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon thanked the jury "for their commitment to the public’s role in the criminal justice process, and for refusing to accept attempts to minimize Daniel Rak’s violent behavior." He added, "Domestic violence is at the root of far more deaths than most people realize. Regardless of what fuels their violence, domestic abusers must be held accountable."

Sentencing for Rak, who is currently free on bond, is scheduled for Sept. 8. He could receive probation or a two- to seven-year prison sentence.

Daniel Rak/Kane County State's Attorney's Office