Former Barrington student to get separate trials on sex charges

A former Barrington High School student will receive separate trials on allegations he sexually abused two female classmates over a weekend earlier this year, a McHenry County judge ruled Thursday.

The move to hold separate trials comes at the request of Bruce Arthur Johnston, who in April, authorities charge, forced a 17-year-old girl into sex, then had sex a day later with a 14-year-old girl too young to give consent.

Johnston, 18, of Tower Lakes, faces a charge of criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony, in the first incident and criminal sexual abuse, a misdemeanor, in the latter. He has denied both charges.

His attorney, Robert Hanaford, said the separate trials reflects the unique circumstances of each set of allegations.

"(Trying the cases together) would just potentially confuse the issues before the jury," Hanaford said.

McHenry County prosecutors did not object to the split, but did ask, and receive, authority to try the felony charge first.

Johnston, who at the time of his arrest was a senior at Barrington High School, received his diploma from the school, but was not allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies, Hanaford said.

He is free on $1,500 bond while awaiting his next court appearance, July 8, for a pretrial status hearing.

Johnston faces a maximum four to 15 years in prison if found guilty of he felony charge and up to a year in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor.