Man may face life in attacks on women
A Round Lake Beach man accused of two attacks on women learned Friday he could face a life prison sentence if convicted in both attacks.
If Robert Evans gets the life term, he would serve the same sentence as his serial-rapist half-brother, Christopher Hanson.
Circuit Judge George Bridges told Evans, 29, of the possibility as he detailed a closed-door meeting he had with attorneys on the case.
Evans, of 1426 Lotus Drive, was arrested Oct. 31 after police say he attacked a 19-year-old woman jogger on the Millennium Trail near Wauconda.
Police said Evans ran past the woman, turned around, knocked her down and dragged her into some bushes before she was able to fight him off.
While being questioned in that case, police say, Evans admitted trying to rape a 50-year-old woman working in a barn near Mundelein on Oct. 8.
He is charged in both cases with criminal sexual assault, attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse, attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault and unlawful restraint.
Instead of the normal four-to 15-year prison sentences the most serious charges would carry, Bridges told Evans he faces enhanced penalties because of his criminal record.
He said Evans was convicted of residential burglary as a juvenile, and he has two convictions for burglary and one for aggravated criminal sexual abuse as an adult.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ken LaRue said Evans must at least be sentenced as a Class X offender.
That would mandate a sentence of at least six and not more than 30 years in each case, LaRue said, and it may be worse for Evans.
LaRue said he is attempting to determine if Evans was sentenced as a Class X offender at his last conviction, the 1999 sex case.
If so, LaRue said, Evans would face the mandatory life term if convicted in the two current cases under the state's so-called "three strikes and you are out" law.
LaRue said the law mandates a life sentence for anyone convicted of a third Class X offense.
Hanson was sentenced to life after his fourth attack on a woman, the rape and attempted murder of a 19-year-old Wildwood woman on a jogging trial near Libertyville on June 5, 2006.
Assistant Public Defender Karen Levy said if the life term for Evans is not mandatory, she hopes to convince Bridges to be lenient because of other factors in Evans' background.
She said he suffered several head injuries as a young boy, and has been diagnosed with organic brain damage that impacts his reasoning. Evans also was abused as a child by Hanson, Levy said.
Bridges did not indicate he was leaning toward leniency at the end of his remarks Friday.
"These are serious charges and you have a serious history," Bridges said. "Suffice it to say, Mr. Evans, you are looking at the high end of the sentencing range and a significant period of time if you are found guilty or should plead guilty."
Evans, held on $1 million bond, is due in court Aug. 14.