Witness claims again that different man threw life-altering punch in 2009

For a second time, a witness said at trial that it was another man who delivered the fateful blow that permanently disabled Eric Bartels outside of a Mokena bar in 2009.

And once again, the man the witness accused – Mike Glielmi – invoked his constitutional right to remain silent and not testify in the case.

Glielmi appeared Friday for the second trial against Jospeh Messina, 33, who was charged with battering Bartels outside 191 South bar July 25, 2009.

Messina’s attorney, Jeff Tomczak, called for Glielmi’s appearance after arguing that he was the one accused of striking Bartels.

Glielmi was called before other witnesses arrived to either indicate or directly accuse him of the crime that Messina was charged with committing.

Judge Vincent Cornelius asked Glielmi if he was invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Glielmi, who was with his attorney, Steve Haney, said, “Yes.”

Glielmi never has been charged with battering Bartels. Mokena police Sgt. Jason Louthan, one of the investigators on the case, said Friday that he received no indication that Glielmi’s involvement in the incident went beyond that of a bystander.

Glielmi wasn’t accused of the crime until Messina’s friend, Steve Raymond, claimed he was the real puncher during Messina’s first trial in 2012. Raymond had been with Messina, Glielmi, Sean Plarski and several others at the bar 191 South to celebrate Messina’s 21st birthday.

Raymond testified again that it was Glielmi who threw punch, not Messina. Raymond said he had advised Glielmi to obtain a lawyer and then come forward about the incident.

“I truly thought he would come forward,” Raymond said, claiming that was why he did not go to the police with this information.

Under cross examination by Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn, Raymond admitted he lied to the police when he told them he didn’t see who hit Bartels and waited until Messina’s 2012 trial to say it was Glielmi who battered Bartels.

Messina’s friend Sean Plarski also testified about the night’s events. Plarski said there was a heated exchange outside the bar during which Messina was pushed against him. He said he then saw — in his peripheral vision — a fist hit Bartels.

Plarski said when Glielmi, Raymond and others got in a van to leave, Glielmi was frantic, apologetic and said, “I can’t believe I did this.” Plarski said based on Glielmi’s reaction, he thought Glielmi was culpable for Bartels’ injuries.

“I think he’s responsible for this,” Plarski said.

Under questioning by Colburn, Plarski said he never saw who hit Bartels.

Lauren Grenda, who was also in the van, similarly testified that Glielmi was “freaking out” and that he said he hit someone.

Another van occupant, Andrew Paver, who is now a Will County Sheriff’s deputy, also testified that Glielmi was frantic and said he “hit this guy so hard.” Paver said he was highly intoxicated that night and didn’t know what happened to Bartels.

Both the defense and prosecution rested Friday and closing arguments are expected Monday.

Messina is undergoing a second trial after an appellate court overturned the conviction from his first trial, which was presided over by Judge Sarah Jones. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office agreed not to prosecute the case again to avoid the appearance of impropriety.