A Chicago woman and an adolescent accomplice are facing charges after prosecutors say they broke into an apartment Thursday evening and, during the ensuing scuffle over a boyfriend, accidentally stabbed themselves.
Nyla D. Brackett, 19, of the 8800 block of South Throop Street, Chicago, is charged with home invasion, mob action, criminal trespass to residence and assault after she and a juvenile person broke into a home in the 900 block of Greenbrier Road in DeKalb, said DeKalb County Assistant State's Attorney Alesandra Friend during Brackett's bond hearing Friday.
Brackett appeared before DeKalb County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Montgomery on the charges. He granted her a $5,000 recognizance bond, and ordered her to be placed on electronic home monitoring with no contact with the victim.
If convicted of the most serious crime, home invasion, Brackett could serve up to 60 years in prison.
The stabbing and home invasion occurred around 7 p.m. Thursday night, at which time Friend said Brackett and the young person accompanying her went to the home and started banging on the door. The young person accompanying her was armed with a knife and started stabbing the door also, she said.
The victim who's home it was opened the door to see what was going on and Brackett and the teen barged in swinging the knife, Friend said.
As a scuffle ensued, the victim pepper sprayed Brackett and the teen, who then retreated to the hallway, Friend said.
"During which time the juvenile defendant was waving around a knife swinging wildly, at which time Ms. Brackett was stabbed by the knife as well as the co-defendant stabbed herself," Friend said.
From a Zoom call in the DeKalb County Jail during the bond hearing Friday, Bracket could be seen with bandages wrapped around both her hands and her left forearm.
DeKalb Acting Police Chief Bob Redel said Thursday night neither suffered serious stab injuries.
When Montgomery asked what gave rise to the incident, Friend said it was a "dispute over a boyfriend."
Brackett, who has no criminal history, is next set to appear for an arraignment Sept. 15 at 9:45 a.m.