Judge delays trial of ex-McHenry cop

The woman accusing a former police and state's attorney's investigator of sexually assaulting her at his McHenry tavern two years ago failed to show up in court to testify Monday and for a time could not be located by authorities, forcing a last-minute delay in the retired officer's trial.

Judge Sharon Prather gave authorities 24 hours to locate the 26-year-old woman who claims Leslie Lunsmann assaulted her in an employee washroom of Mulligan's Saloon in July 2006 and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

Lunsmann, 51, of McHenry, denies the allegations and was scheduled to go on trial Monday on charges of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, unlawful restraint and intimidation.

Later in the day officials said they had found the woman and were making arrangements for her to appear in court today.

The woman told authorities just two days ago she would be in court Monday to testify, Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said.

But a friend who was planning to drive the woman from her home near Joliet to the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock called Monday morning to say he could not find her.

"He did not know where she was," Combs said. "He was looking for her, but he did not believe she was going to show up."

Lunsmann's defense filed an objection to a continuance that, if successful, could have forced prosecutors to dismiss the charges. But Judge Sharon Prather said that, while frustrating, a short delay was a reasonable request.

"Since the state is asking for only 24 hours, I believe the court has no choice but to give them 24 hours to locate the witness," Prather said.

This is not the first time county prosecutors and the woman accusing Lunsmann have had difficulties. Last year the state's attorney's office unsuccessfully sought to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case, saying that the woman was uncooperative and concerned she would not be treated fairly because of Lunsmann's former role in the office.

Lunsmann served as an investigator for former State's Attorney Gary Pack during the 1990s, a time in which he received awards and public recognition for establishing anti-gang programs in the county.