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Glendale Heights man guilty of kidnapping, beating girlfriend

A Glendale Heights man faces up to 60 years in prison after he was convicted Friday of kidnapping and severely beating his former girlfriend.

Jordan Ratley, 26, was found guilty of aggravated domestic battery, home invasion and aggravated kidnapping. A DuPage County jury deliberated about three hours following a four-day trial.

Prosecutors said Ratley forced his way into a Glendale Heights apartment about 1:30 a.m. July 14, 2011, and abducted the victim. Several witnesses watched as he kicked and punched her until she was unconscious, then threw her over his shoulder and took her outside. From there, prosecutors said, Ratley dragged her by the hair to his vehicle, where the beating continued. He was arrested later that day after police stopped him near I-355 and Army Trail Road in Addison.

In closing arguments Friday, Assistant State’s Attorney Ann Celine O’Hallaren said Ratley was enraged after he learned the victim had contacted police about him. She said the victim suffered a split lip, broken nose, a lacerated liver and internal bleeding, among other injuries.

“This defendant’s violent rage sent him on a rampage,” said O’Hallaren, who prosecuted the case with Anne Therieau.

Ratley faces up to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge John Kinsella. His next court date is July 19.

“Every nine seconds, in the United States alone, a woman is assaulted or beaten,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “Domestic violence affects us all and I would like to thank the jury for sending the message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in DuPage County.”

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