Man Stomped Inmate's Head, Left Him Nonverbal In Juvenile Detention Center Attempted Murder: State's Attorney

JOLIET, IL — A Kankakee man was found guilty of attempted murder in a 2024 altercation that left another inmate at a juvenile detention center incapacitated in a nonverbal state.

Donovan DeWayne Burbridge, 18, was convicted after a three-day jury trial last week.

On March 24, 2024, while at Joliet's River Valley Juvenile Detention Center, Burbridge "threw repeated rapid punches at the victim," the Will County State's Attorney's Office said.

According to Will County prosecutors, Burbridge teamed up with another juvenile to carry out the attack on the 17-year-old, who is also from Kankakee, Patch previously reported. The crime happened around 8 p.m. on March 24, 2024, and the victim had only been in Joliet at River Valley for less than 24 hours. At the time of the brutal beating, the victim was in a math classroom that is used for recreation and free time before bedtime, prosecutors said.

RELATED: Attempted Murder In Joliet's Teen Detention Center Leaves Victim 'Nonverbal': Prosecutors

According to prosecutors, the victim was seated in a school-style desk when Burbridge, then just 15 years old, and another inmate, N.M., who is a minor, got up together from a table where they were playing cards and approached the victim. "Both Burbridge and co-defendant N.M. threw repeated rapid punches at victim," prosecutors outlined in their petition for pretrial detention. "Victim had his back to the attack. Victim was struck and went to the ground into a fetal position but may have been knocked out as he did not really move/defend himself."

At that point, Burbridge and N.M. "stomped victim's head and kicked victim repeatedly and violently and attacked victim together as victim was motionless on the ground," the petition said.

Prosecutors said the crime left Burbridge's teenage victim in a nonverbal state, needing assistance with feeding and the inability to swallow.

“The abject brutality in this case was extreme, and the verdict reflects the jury’s determination that the evidence proved the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," said Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow.

"No innocent person should be subjected to violence and certainly not the level of violence revealed during this trial. The injuries suffered by the victim are catastrophic and life-altering, and today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for his actions."

His sentencing is set for Aug. 24.

Patch Editor John Ferak contributed to this report.