Jason Ostrego sentenced to prison for hate crime stabbing outside Elgin bar in 2022

CHICAGO (WLS) — Jason Ostrego was sentenced to 19 years in state jail for stabbing a Black man outdoors a bar in Elgin in 2022.

Anton Patterson testified in courtroom he’s in ache day-after-day from the stab wounds he suffered two and a half years in the past. His legal professional mentioned he’s fortunate to be alive.

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The stabbing occurred on Dec. 31, 2022, and was recorded on cellphone video by witnesses. The 28-year-old Ostrego may be heard on the recording calling Patterson derogatory racial names, together with the n-word. Prosecutors charged him with tried homicide and armed violence. They mentioned this was also a hate crime, and that was an aggravating issue within the sentencing.

“Hate was undoubtedly the motivation. We determined to maneuver ahead on the extra severe offenses,” mentioned Assistant State’s Legal professional Eric Leafblad.

READ MORE: Video shows man yelled N-word before stabbing Black man outside Elgin bar, prosecutors say

An worker of the bar, David Scruggs, who tried to intervene within the assault additionally addressed the courtroom. Scruggs was additionally stabbed within the face. He mentioned he kicked Ostrego out of the bar for utilizing derogatory language simply earlier than he obtained a knife from his automobile and attacked Patterson.

Ostrego pleaded responsible to the fees. Decide David Kliment sentenced him to a complete of 19 years in jail.

The victims mentioned they’re happy.

“I am very happy with the result. We are able to relaxation peacefully and simply,” Patterson mentioned.

“It says to our neighborhood that there are individuals on the market who use hate to commit violence. And if we did not reply forcefully we would not be doing our job,” mentioned Asst. State’s Legal professional Jamie Moser.

Ostrego was taken into custody within the courtroom to start serving his 19 years in state jail. By state legislation he should serve 85% of the sentence earlier than changing into eligible for parole.