Man Convicted in Eye-Gouging Case

Exulam Holman attacked his uncle during a fight over a remote control, prosecutors said

A 33-year-old man with a history of criminal violence was convicted Thursday of trying to gouge out his uncle’s eyes over a remote control on New Year’s Eve.

Exulam Holman faced charges of aggravated battery and aggravated domestic battery of a person over age 60 in the attack on 62-year-old Melvin Clifford at his McKay Street home, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

A mistrial was declared in early July after a juror recognized a witness' nickname.

Authorities say Holman, who reportedly faced similar charges four years earlier when he attacked his brother with a pair of garden shears over a bowl of homemade chili, attacked the much smaller Clifford on New Year's Eve, straddling him and putting his thumbs into his eyes.

Defense attorney Robert Bodach contends Melvin attacked Holman first.

Holman pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in 2000 after he drove his car into a police officer and again in 2010 after threatening a police officer with a hammer, the Sun-Times reported. He also faced misdemeanor battery charges after his ex-wife reportedly filed several orders of protection when Holman made drunken threats against her.

Holman faces up to 14 years in prison at his sentencing Oct. 11, the Sun-Times reports.
 

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