Woman Coughs Blood After Domestic Abuser Chases Her With Knife: Police Respond

A History of Domestic Violence Leads to Indefinite Jail Time for 49-Year-Old Man

In the small community of Braidwood, Illinois, a 49-year-old man with a troubling history of domestic violence has been sentenced to an indefinite stay in Will County Jail. James Kawell, who resides in Brookfield, was recently arrested by Braidwood police following his latest alleged domestic violence incident. The case has drawn significant attention due to Kawell’s extensive criminal record and the severity of the alleged actions.

Will County prosecutors have charged Kawell with six counts of domestic battery, one count of unlawful restraint, and one count of aggravated assault. Judge Brian Barrett ruled that Kawell must remain in jail under the SAFE-T-Act, which allows for the detention of individuals deemed a threat to public safety.

The incident began on July 19 when Braidwood police received a call about a scuffle involving a woman and a man at Dogwood Lane. According to the 911 caller, a man had assaulted her daughter and then fled the scene. Upon arrival, officers found the victim in distress, crying and clutching the left side of her face. She told the police that Kawell had attacked her.

According to court records, the woman, who is 48 years old, described an argument that occurred around 5 p.m. with Kawell. He allegedly grabbed her face with both hands and shoved her to the bathroom floor. He then punched her in the left side of her face with his left fist while she lay on her back. Despite her pleas for him to stop, Kawell reportedly choked her for 15 seconds using both hands. Although she did not lose consciousness, her vision started to darken.

After releasing his grip, Kawell punched her again, this time in the left ribs, causing her to spit blood onto the floor. The woman managed to escape by running to another house on Cedar Lane. When she returned to Dogwood Lane around 1:30 a.m. to retrieve her belongings, Kawell and his male roommate were inside. Another argument broke out, and Kawell blocked her exit through the sliding door, following her into the kitchen.

At this point, the woman grabbed a screwdriver, and Kawell took a knife from the butcher block. He chased her into the bathroom, where he threw her to the ground on her back. He straddled her while holding the knife against her throat and choked her with his right hand, making threats. The woman then asked Kawell's roommate to call the police. As she rolled over, she spat blood into a rag. The roommate later told police that Kawell had taken the knife from the butcher block and thrown the victim to the ground, with her head landing in the bathroom and her feet in the hallway.

When the roommate intervened and told Kawell to stop, he handed over the knife and left the house. The incident led to the arrest of Kawell, who now faces serious charges.

Kawell has a long history of domestic violence. Prosecutors revealed that he has four prior domestic battery convictions: one in 1998 from Lake County, another in 1999 from Lake County, a third in 2003 for aggravated domestic battery, and a fourth in 2022 from Cook County. Additionally, he received a 20-year prison sentence for a 2010 home invasion. His 2003 Lake County case was reduced after a plea bargain, as he was originally charged with attempted murder.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges communities face with repeat offenders and the need for strict legal measures to protect victims and ensure public safety.