Savage Beating On Jefferson Street Severely Injures Man, 62: Joliet PD

JOLIET, IL — Joliet's homeless population was involved in a violent attack at a business parking lot on West Jefferson Street, leaving a 62-year-old man at St. Joe's hospital with severe injuries to his face, according to Joliet police arrest reports.

Joliet police said that 37-year-old Justin Slee, who is listed as homeless, and his 42-year-old friend, Christopher Watters, of Dwight, are now both in the Will County Jail facing identical charges of mob action and aggravated battery.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at around 7:02 p.m. Sunday, a patrol officer spotted two men kicking another man on the ground in the business parking lot at 1728 West Jefferson Street. The officer intervened to end the fight. The two men seen kicking the victim were identified as Slee and Watters, according to English.

Witnesses indicated the fight began following an argument involving the three men, English said. Slee and Watters were placed into custody without incident.

The 62-year-old victim was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Police Department with a serious injury to his face.

Will County prosecutors noted in their pretrial detention petition for Slee and Watters that officer Christopher McClinton was in the area when he saw the two defendants attacking the 62-year-old victim near the AT&T Store, as the victim was in a fetal position and not fighting back.

The victim was bleeding from his head and nose and later underwent surgery at St. Joe's for a ruptured eye and injured nose. Both criminal defendants had blood on their shoes, the prosecutor noted.

According to prosecutors, Watters told Joliet police that the victim was trying to take their belongings.

Court records indicate that the victim "could not give a statement due to his injuries."

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