Antioch man pleads not guilty to attemped murder, rape

An Antioch Township man accused of beating, raping and terrorizing a woman in his home pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Christopher Schneider, 36, is charged with attempted murder, criminal sexual assault and unlawful restraint in the July 1 attack.

Assistant State's Attorney Victor O'Block said Schneider attacked the woman inside his home at 26180 Forest Ave. and beat her with his fists and a baseball bat.

He tied her up with a belt and duct tape and forced her to have sex with him, O'Block said. Schneider also held a cordless reciprocating saw to her neck and told her he was going to kill her.

After Schneider had slept for awhile, the woman persuaded him to take her to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and promised she would not tell anyone how she had been injured.

However, once Schneider had left the hospital, the woman told officials everything about the attack.

Lake County sheriff's deputies surrounded Schneider's house. After about 90 minutes of negotiation, officers stormed the house and found Schneider in a bathroom.

He is held on $10 million bond and faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

Associate Judge Joseph Waldeck scheduled a trial for Sept. 10 and ordered Schneider to appear in court Friday for a bond review.