Judge Acquits 2 Men Charged In Connection With 2017 Fight, Stabbing In Crystal Lake

A trial Friday afternoon lasted about five minutes before a judge announced not guilty verdicts for two men charged in connection with an attempted robbery that landed one defendant in the hospital with a knife in his face. Prosecutors were left empty-handed Friday when two alleged victims who the state planned to call as witnesses did not show up for the trial. "I think it says they may have something to hide," defense attorney Caryn Barone said. It is unclear whether the alleged victims could face consequences for skipping out on the trial. Attorneys for 19-year-olds Tyler Novak and Thomas Madura showed the judge photos of the injuries their clients suffered during a fight that broke out in April 2017 in the 400 block of Berkshire Drive, Crystal Lake. Defense attorney Matthew Haiduk asked for a direct finding of not guilty on the basis that the state failed to prove its case.