A Lake County jury convicted a north suburban Waukegan man of sexually assaulting an Evanston woman with learning disabilities.
A jury of nine men and three women returned the guilty verdict after deliberating for about three hours Friday.
Nsoni Mpulamasaka, 27, faces six to 30 years in prison for the aggravated criminal sexual assault conviction.
"I'm really, really proud of the strength this woman showed. With (her) learning disability, (she) had to go through being alone with (the defendant), being probed at the hospital and had to come in and face 12 people she doesn't know and tell her story. I'm very proud of her," Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Reginald Mathews said.
The Evanston woman had gone out for a night of karaoke with friends June 16, 2011. Mpulamasaka joined the woman and her group of friends for a meal at Denny's in Highland Park.
He sexually assaulted the woman in the parking lot of that Denny's after the woman's left her alone, according to Mathews.
Evidence against Mpulamasaka included significant injuries the victim suffered after the assault. The day after the incident, the defendant told police he had not met any girls the previous evening before he knew what the investigation was about, Mathews said.
Police found blood on a toothpaste cap in Mpulamasaka's residence. That blood was matched to the victim's DNA, Mathews said.
"I think the biggest pieces of evidence ... (were) the lies and the significant injuries and the victim's blood at the defendant's home," Mathews said.
Defense attorney Jed Stone argued the incident was a case of consensual sex.
Mpulamasaka's bond was revoked after his conviction. He is in custody at Lake County Jail.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:54:15 GMT
A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a Chicago fan at a popular waterfront shopping area before a Bears/Jaguars football game last fall.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:53:12 GMT
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Police are asking for help to identify the body of woman or teen girl found strangled and badly burned in a Northwest Side Avondale neighborhood Dumpster Sunday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:28:22 GMT
Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
Rescue crews aren't the only ones heading to help tornado victims in Oklahoma. Addison's Lutheran Church Charities sent ten comfort dogs to Moore on Tuesday, to help console victims.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:51 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:51:14 GMT
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of Moore, Okla. for survivors of a tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least nine children.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:12:24 GMT
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
Every time a tornado makes news, the local public cannot help but think about what happened in this area, back in 1967. A destructive storm system hit the southwest suburbs 46 years ago.
