August 27, 2026

Joliet, IL— Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow announces that Donovan DeWayne Burbridge of Kankakee has been sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Attempt First Degree Murder, a Class X felony, and Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 felony. Burbridge was found guilty by a jury following a 3-day jury trial before Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak that concluded on June 10, 2026.

On March 24, 2024, while at Joliet’s River Valley Juvenile Detention Center, Burbridge threw repeated rapid punches at the victim. Burbridge stomped on the victim’s head and kicked him repeatedly and violently as he lay defenseless on the ground. The savage attack has left Burbridge’s teenage victim in a nonverbal state, requiring assistance with feeding and leaving him unable to swallow.

Burbridge was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He is required to serve 85% of his sentence with three years of mandatory supervised release. He will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years.

“This was a violent and deliberate attack, and the 20-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes for which Burbridge was convicted,” Glasgow said. “Our office is committed to safeguarding human life by holding defendants accountable for their actions and ensuring that cases involving violent offenses are thoroughly investigated and vigorously prosecuted.

This sentence is the result of the collaborative efforts of the prosecution team, law enforcement, and everyone who worked to bring this case to a fair and just resolution.”

Glasgow again thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Adam M. Capelli and Wiktoria Oginski, Victim Witness Advocates Dannette Pasdertz and Emma Rannels, Information Systems Support Specialist Braulio Guzman, as well as the River Valley Detention Center staff and the Joliet Police Department for their dedication to this case.

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