Assault Victim's Eye Pops Out of Socket, Police Say

A Sturtevant man is accused of punching a Racine man in the face, causing the man's eye to come out of the socket.

Lance Barker, 36, is charged with one felony count of battery, causing great bodily harm. He made his initial appearance Monday in Racine County Circuit Court. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. Because he is considered a repeat offender, Barker could get more time added to any sentence he receives.

According to the criminal complaint, the assault happened Aug. 17. The Racine man brought flowers to his girlfriend, at a home in the 1200 block of Schiller Street in Racine.

He told police Barker was also living at the residence at the time, and when the man was waking his girlfriend, Barker tried to start a fight, the complaint reads. Barker reportedly walked away when the man refused to fight, but he then returned and punched the man in his left eye.

Police reports indicate the man's right eye came out of the socket and was bleeding. The man told officers he had surgery on that eye in the past and it is not functional. After he was transported to the hospital, the man was taken into surgery to try and save his eye.

A complaint was filed against Barker on Feb. 28 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The defendant's appearance in court Monday canceled the warrant, and he was issued a $1,000 cash bond. Records at the Racine County Jail do not indicate if Barker is still in custody.

His next court date is March 20 for a preliminary hearing.