IL - Ryan Flannigan, 26, killed by sucker punch, Palatine, 18 July 2014

OkieGranny

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http://voices.suntimes.com/news/bre...n-charged-with-fatally-punching-palatine-man/

Michael Platt, of the 200 block of West Wilson Street in Palatine, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ryan Flannigan...

Flannigan, 26, was discovered lying unconscious and bleeding from his head in the 0-100 block of North Bothwell Street about 11:30 p.m. on July 18, according to a statement from Palatine police. A man allegedly punched Flannigan once on the side of the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement...

Flannigan, of the 100 block of West Colfax Street, died at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge 10 days after the attack, authorities said.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140728/news/140728521/

According to multiple witnesses, the men were in separate groups that came together outside the bar that night and began arguing, said police Cmdr. Michael Seebacher.

According to police, Platt stepped forward and punched Flannigan once on the side of the head, causing the 26-year-old to fall onto the sidewalk. Witnesses described the punch as being unprovoked, and there were no other punches thrown, Seebacher said.

"This is a tragedy from a senseless act of violence," he said.

http://www.journal-topics.com/breaking/article_567ce4ae-2e08-11e4-9b97-001a4bcf6878.html

A “not guilty” plea was tendered today (Wednesday) to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Fecarotta by attorney Sam Amirante on behalf of his client Michael Platt. The 35-year-old Platt, of Palatine, is facing first-degree murder charges.
 
I thought that first-degree murder charges were for premeditated or capital murder? Seems like this is more akin to manslaughter from the quotes, it didn't sound as if death was the intended outcome, even if physical harm was intended.
 
Yeah, I imagine they'll wind up letting this guy plead to a lesser charge.

I haven't seen any info that the two men knew each other or had any prior beef. My impression is that Platt was probably trying to play Billy Bada$$ in front of his friends and it just went horribly wrong.
 
http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_794feb4e-ad50-11e4-90b8-db358563577b.html

After six months of court hearings, a trial date has been set in the case involving a Palatine man charged in the punching death of another resident.

Jury selection is scheduled for Monday, Apr. 13 at the Rolling Meadows courthouse. If the defense team and prosecutors agree on all 12 jurors that day, the trial is expected to begin the following day also in Rolling Meadows...

Flannigan’s family members have repeatedly said both Flannigan and Platt never interacted with one another prior to the alleged punch.
 
From June:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150605/news/150609257/

Defense attorneys Sam Amirante and Pamela Curran had the option to ask the judge for instructions allowing jurors to convict Platt on a lesser charge, but they chose not to, leaving the five-woman, seven-man jury with two options: find Platt guilty of first-degree murder carrying a maximum 60-year sentence, or find him not guilty.

Their not guilty verdict sent Platt home, while it sent shockwaves through the courtroom.
 

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