Convict in 2000 North Aurora sexual assault wants new trial
A 30-year-old Warrenville man facing prison for raping a girl in North Aurora 12 years ago wants a do-over.
Adrian Ramirez-Alcantar, who was due to be sentenced last week to anywhere from six to 30 years in prison, recently filed a motion seeking a new trial, arguing that his defense attorney was ineffective.
He is due in court again July 19 for a hearing on whether the complaint has merit and if another attorney should be appointed to argue his case for a new trial.
Kane County Judge David Akemann convicted Ramirez-Alcantar of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse after a two-day bench trial in April.
During trial, prosecutors argued that Ramirez-Alcantar assaulted the girl several times while he stayed with her family in 2000.
The girl, now 17, testified she was watching a TV crime show in May 2010, realized what happened to her and told her mom. The girl, who now lives in West Chicago, and her mom saw Ramirez-Alcantar at a West Chicago festival in September 2010 and authorities began investigating.
The girl identified Ramirez-Alcantar from the witness stand. She testified he told her not to tell anyone or her parents would go to jail. She also testified that Ramirez-Alcantar used a towel to cover her mouth during one of the assaults because she was crying out in pain.
Assistant Public Defender Rachell Conant questioned the girl’s credibility, noting she waited 10 years before coming forward and when she did, had differing accounts of where the assaults took place.
Conant also said the girl could have been assaulted by other men staying at the home during that time and that as she grew older, she could have added details of the assaults to make her story more believable.
Ramirez-Alcantar’s motion for a new trial also argues he was prejudiced when Akemann heard the victim testify about an attack in which he was not charged.
Mark your calendar:
Numerous Aurora Police officers and Kane County sheriff’s deputies will don aprons instead of uniforms July 9 for Tip-A-Cop, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois. From 5 to 9 p.m. that day, officers will wait tables at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1460 N. Orchard Road, Aurora, to raise money.
They will donate tips they receive and the restaurant will donate 10 percent of all food purchases to Special Olympics from 11 a.m. to midnight. Patrons must tell their servers they are eating to raise money for Special Olympics.
So far, Aurora Police officers and support personnel have raised nearly $11,000 this year after raising more than $15,000 in 2011.
For details, call Aurora Police Sgt. Doug Podschweit at (630) 256-5772 or visit soill.org.
Ÿ Harry Hitzeman’s column usually appears Monday.