Judge Delays Ruling in Party Game Death

A Will County judge Tuesday put off making a decision on whether charges should be dropped against a woman involved in the party game death of a Romeoville man.

Judge Edward Burmila said he did not have time to review a motion made May 11 to dismiss battery and reckless conduct charges against Tiffany Startz, 21, of Joliet.

Startz, a Plainfield South High School graduate, and Jimmy Mounts, 27, of Romeoville, are charged in connection with the Sept. 25, 2010, death of John Powell.

Powell, 25,  died after accepting a $5 bet that he couldn’t withstand a punch from the 5-foot-5-inch Startz during a party in Crest Hill. The force of the punch reportedly ruptured an artery in Powell’s neck. He was taken to Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he was pronounced dead.

because Powell consented to being punched.

Burmila said he will make a ruling on Startz’s motion on May 27.