Closing arguments made in Joliet man's attempted murder trial

Prosecutors argued a Joliet man intended to kill his former girlfriend about three years ago in Rockdale when he brutally attacked her while the man’s attorney said their case relied on “emotion, insinuation and speculation.”

The bench trial of Jason Errichetto, 47, continued on Wednesday with closing arguments before Judge Dan Rippy. Errichetto faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery and domestic battery in connection with the beating of a woman in 2017 that police said left her clinging to life.

Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Capelli argued Errichetto was “enraged” by his former girlfriend when she turned his back on him and left a motorcycle clubhouse in Rockdale while they were having drinks.

He said Errichetto treated her “like a piece of meat” when he attacked her, dragging her across the pavement outside the clubhouse and then abandoning her beyond the fenced entryway.

“He didn’t care what happened to her,” Capelli said.

He said the incident left her with multiple skull and facial fractures, abrasions and other injuries. He said she had to relearn how to walk and talk.

“She still has a hard time formulating thoughts,” Capelli said.

Errichetto’s attorney Chuck Bretz argued there was no evidence Errichetto was enraged or intended to kill the woman.

He argued none of her injuries were life threatening and that her more severe injuries could have been caused by a “terrible fall” at the clubhouse.

Prosecutors showed video during the trial that they said captured Errichetto and the woman talking at the bar for about an hour and a half before she rushes out the door.

Another video showed what prosecutors said was Errichetto dragging the woman across the pavement and kicking her several times before dragging her beyond the fenced entryway.

Bretz said the video showed behavior that was “disturbing” and “shameful,” but didn’t support the charges filed against Errichetto.

“Even though the video was very painful to watch, we can only deal with the evidence presented and the charges filed,” he said.