4 men acquitted in Chicago's Barraco’s Pizza restaurant fight involving employees
Chicago crime: Four men acquitted in Barracos pizza shop fight
Four suburban men accused of beating a pizzeria owner will not face any time.
CHICAGO - Four men accused of attacking multiple employees and an off-duty officer at a pizza restaurant on Chicago’s Southwest Side last year were acquitted on Wednesday.
What we know:
The charges stemmed from an incident on June 23, 2024, when the men were accused of fighting staff members at Barraco’s Pizza in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood.
A judge found that Andrew Fedyk, of La Grange, Harry Kenny, of Glen Ellyn, Frank Paris, of River Forest, and John Powers IV, of Oak Park, were not guilty of aggravated battery charges.
During a bench trial last month, attorneys for the men argued that the bouncers inside the restaurant were the aggressors.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Ursula Walowski issued her ruling on Wednesday, clearing the names of all four patrons who were facing felonies.
Walowski ruled that the restaurant's employees contributed to the fight — and one side alone wasn't solely at fault.
What they're saying:
Todd Pugh, the attorney for Kenny, released a statement following the acquittal.
"The court's decision today confirms what we have maintained from the beginning: there was simply no evidence to support these charges against Harry Kenny. Justice has prevailed, though not without significant cost to a young man who has had his education and life needlessly disrupted.
"Mr. Kenny’s acquittal of all charges vindicates Mr. Kenny completely but cannot restore the months lost to defending himself against allegations that should never have been filed. Harry is an exceptional young man who deserves to return to university and pursue his dreams without this shadow hanging over him.
"We are gratified by today's outcome but remain troubled that he was ever charged with felony offenses. Today's ruling isn't just a victory for Harry Kenny—it's a reminder of the fundamental principle that evidence, not accusations alone, must be the foundation of our justice system."
"I think the ruling was fair, I think it was based on the facts and evidence in this case," said Donna Rotunno, attorney for Frank Paris. "I do believe that the case itself was overcharged from the beginning."
Rotunno said her client suffered a concussion during the ordeal.
"I think that every single person involved in this case made mistakes," Rotunno. "And hopefully everyone will learn from it."
"I think any time there is mutual combat, I think any time there is a melee, I think any time there is a physical altercation—this was a bar fight. This was a bar fight that multiple people were involved in, this was a situation where punches are thrown," Rotunno said. "And once that starts and you don’t know who’s throwing punches at you or who’s coming at you, who’s approaching you, you have a right to defend yourself and that’s what this was."
The backstory:
In June of last year, Fedyk, Kenny, Paris, and Powers — who were 20 years old at the time — had allegedly been underage drinking at Barraco's, located in the 3000 block of W. 111th Street. When they were asked by employees to leave the bar, a brawl broke out with the bouncers, an off-duty officer, and the restaurant’s owner, Nick Barraco.
Barraco, who is in his 60s, suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed. He spent several days in the ICU and saw an outpouring of community support.
During the bench trial in April, most of the men involved in the Barraco's brawl took the stand.
What's next:
FOX 32 Chicago left a message with an employee at Barraco’s on Wednesday asking for comment. We did not immediately hear back with a statement in response to the ruling; however, we’re told Nick Barraco has been unable to return to work due to his injuries.