Quincy man who allegedly hit Harrison Pub patron, putting him in medically induced coma, pleads not guilty

QUINCY — A Quincy man who allegedly hit a man in the head outside a Quincy bar, causing him to be sent to Blessing Hospital, pled not guilty Tuesday morning in Adams County Circuit Court.

Judge Tad Brenner arraigned Bryan Paden, 40, who appeared with attorney Nick Rober. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery, both Class 3 felonies. Those charges typically have a sentencing range between two and five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

However, Paden is eligible for extended term sentencing. Any person convicted of a felony, after already being convicted of a same or greater class of felony within a 10-year period, is extended term eligible. Paden previously received a five-year sentence in the DOC for delivery of meth in 2011. He received a 7½-year sentence in the DOC for possession of meth in 2017.  

Paden could receive between two and 10 years in the DOC if he’s found guilty.

An Adams County grand jury indicted Paden on Feb. 9.

Officers with the Quincy Police Department and Adams County EMS were dispatched to the Harrison Pub at 1701 Harrison at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 29 in reference to an ambulance call. Upon arrival, the officers and ambulance personnel found an unconscious male lying on the ground outside of Harrison Pub. 

Officers initially could not determine anything suspicious in nature and cleared the call as a medical incident. The unconscious male, later to be identified as Jason Summers, 40, of Quincy, was transported to Blessing Hospital by ambulance and later placed in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit.

Detectives with the Quincy Police Department followed up the next day with the investigation, including watching video surveillance of the area. Detectives determined there had been a disturbance between Paden and Summers. Paden and multiple other subjects fled the scene immediately after the disturbance.

Brenner set Paden’s bond on Jan. 31 at $150,000. A motion to reduce bond was heard and denied on March 13. Paden posted 10 percent ($15,000) on March 15.

A status hearing was set for April 25. When Brenner asked Rober why he needed a month before the next hearing, Rober said, “I do have some subpoenas that are actually overdue, and I probably need to get in contact with the Harrison Pub to see if they’re going to be able to produce the videos that I requested. It’s my understanding there are about 15 cameras inside the Harrison Pub.”