Collinsville man found guilty in machete attack

By Randy Pierce • Close to two years after an incident where a Collinsville man was charged with allegedly attacking another individual with a machete, the assailant has been found guilty of aggravated battery by Illinois Third Judicial Circuit Judge Amy Maher.

According to Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, on July 4, 2024, Jorge L. Barrera, 29, used the aforementioned deadly weapon to strike the leg of the victim outside an apartment complex in Collinsville after the two had engaged in an argument over a parking space.

Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Reames explained in a bench trial concerning the charge against Barrera that the victim attempted to walk away after the argument when the former went to his vehicle, retrieved the machete and started swinging it although no serious injuries occurred.

Also participating in the trial from Haine’s office was Gina McNabnay. Haines commended the Collinsville Police Department for its role in the investigation of the crime, a Class 3 felony punishable with up to five years in prison, the sentencing to be announced sometime in the future.