Judge won’t drop charges in punch death

May 28, 2011 (UPI NewsTrack) — JOLIET, Ill., May 28 — An Illinois judge has rejected arguments that charges against a Joliet woman whose punch to the face killed a man at a house party should be dropped.

John Powell, 25, was punched in the face at a Crest Hill party in September by Tiffany Startz, 21, and died a few minutes later when an artery in his neck burst, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.

Will County Judge Edward Burmila refused a request by defense attorneys to drop the charges on the grounds the incident was an accident.

Theresa Guy, Powell’s mother, said partygoers waited to settle on a story before calling 911.

Startz was charged with felony reckless conduct and misdemeanor battery. Jimmy Mounts, 27, who paid Powell $5 for letting Startz punch him, was charged with reckless conduct. Both were free on bond.

Melissa Powell, the victim’s cousin, said both defendants should be punished in the incident.

“Nobody can bring him back,” she said. “If you kill him, you should have to be punished for that.”