Charges dismissed against man accused in Washington beating

PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) — Charges were dropped against an East Peoria man who was charged in connection with the death of a man over the summer.

The dismissal came in Tazewell County Circuit Court on Friday and means that Kyle Peterson no longer faces charges of aggravated battery in connection with the Aug. 11 death of Brett Smith who was found in the 2200 block of Northridge in Washington without a pulse and face down in a grassy yard.

A reason was not given in court for the dismissal and the state’s attorney’s office did not immediately respond to an email.

Smith had bruising to the right side of his face and had suffered trauma to his head as well suffering a heart attack. The charges against Peterson, 34, killed Smith.

The allegations in the Sept. 5 indictment state Peterson struck Smith “on or about the head, causing swelling of the brain.” He was brought to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center where he later died on Aug. 13, according to his online obituary.

The dismissal doesn’t mean that Peterson is getting out of jail. According to the court order, he’s still being held on a parole violation stemming from previous convictions in Tazewell County for drugs and domestic battery.

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