No verdict yet in Island Lake rape case

McHenry County jurors will continue to deliberate Friday in the case of an Island Lake man accused of raping a woman he was seeing in 2007.

Wayne E. Noska, 41, faces charges of criminal sexual assault and unlawful restraint stemming from an incident at his home on Aug. 25, 2007.

Authorities say Noska raped the 27-year-old woman, choked her and slammed her head against the floor after they went out for drinks and Noska saw her talking to another man at a bar.

Jurors met for more than five hours Thursday afternoon and early evening but could not come up with a verdict. They will return to the courthouse Friday morning to try to reach a unanimous decision.

If convicted, Noska faces four to 15 years in prison.

In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors pointed to the woman's testimony, pictures of injuries she sustained during the alleged attack and expert testimony that they said corroborated the rape charge.

"What motivation could she possibly have to falsely accuse this man of rape?" Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said. "Why would she make a false accusation?"

But defense attorneys tried to poke holes in the alleged victim's testimony, saying her accounts to police and on the witness stand were inconsistent and could not be trusted because she admitted to drinking as many as eight beers on the night of the alleged assault.

"She doesn't remember those events because she was drunk and she is fabricating, she is lying," defense attorney Donna Kelly said. "She is on trial."

Noska testified this week that the couple had consensual sex on the night in question.