Bail Increased For Man Accused of Strangling Girlfriend

TINLEY PARK, IL -- A Cook County judge increased bail for a man accused of trying to strangle his girlfriend last August, despite the girlfriend's request that the charges be dropped. Justin Bennett, 26, appeared before Judge Peter Felice on felony charges of unlawful restraint and aggravated domestic battery. Bennett’s bail was increased from $30,000 to $100,000.

According to the charges, Bennett and his girlfriend had been in a dating relationship for two weeks. On Aug. 24 in the 16600 block of Henry Lane, the couple got into an argument when the woman found a sexually explicit photo of Bennett and a former girlfriend on his cellphone.

The two began to argue, and when the girlfriend tried to escape, the prosecutor said that Bennett pulled her back by her hair. Bennett allegedly pushed her into the drywall, causing a divot. He threw her down on the couch where he grabbed her around the neck, the prosecutor said.

The woman reported the incident to police the next day. Bennett allegedly admitted to getting rough with his girlfriend and grabbing her around the neck. The prosecutor said evidence photos showed marks on the woman’s neck as well as other bruises on her body.

Bennett’s attorney said the woman was in court and no longer want to pursue charges. The prosecutor told the judge he wanted to pursue the case anyway. The attorney said the woman was in court and wanted to drop the charges.

“At the time he was in custody he was with her,” the attorney said. “They’re on speaking terms.”

“Strangulation is the worst kind of domestic battery,” Felice said, increasing Bennett’s bail.

Bennett’s last known address is the 9300 block of 50th Avenue in Oak Lawn. He is due back in court Dec. 11 in Bridgeview.