Two charged in attack on woman
URBANA — Two men have been charged with three felonies after allegedly attacking a young woman as she walked near a park in Champaign early Saturday.
Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz said she filed aggravated battery, criminal sexual abuse and attempted criminal sexual assault charges Monday against Paul Mason, 22, who listed an address in the 700 block of West Church Street, Champaign, and Craig Mason, 27, of Elgin.
According to Rietz, a 27-year-old Urbana woman was walking near West Side Park on Church Street about 3 a.m. Saturday, when three men began talking to her. She was on her way to a friend's after having been in downtown Champaign, Rietz said.
Rietz said the woman told police she tried to ignore the men and kept walking but they followed and harassed her.
Paul Mason allegedly grabbed her by the shoulders and announced that they were going to have sex with her, while Craig Mason allegedly grabbed her arm. Both men allegedly grabbed her breasts, according to Rietz.
The woman tried to fight them and injured her hands in the struggle. During the encounter they laughed and taunted her, Rietz recounted.
Rietz said it was unclear who contacted police but officers arrived at the intersection of Church and Prairie streets and found the woman screaming for help with others around. She had blood on her hands and identified the Masons as the men who hurt her.
Rietz charged the pair with attempted criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse and aggravated battery. If convicted of the most serious of the charges, they face penalties ranging from probation to three to seven years in prison.
Urbana attorney Brett Olmstead appeared on behalf of the men, who were ordered to have no contact with the woman and be back in court Nov. 1. Each posted 10 percent of the $10,000 bond Kennedy set and was released from jail.
Good job fighting back! Great job police! You know ladies, I was told in a personal sexual assault defense case that in the state of Illinois if you believe someone is about to or is in the act of raping you, you can use everything up to and including deadly force to get them to stop hurting you. Maybe someone else who reads this knows the exact statutes, but this was the information I was given. Two brothers? Ish. Now we know also who needs work enough to take on a rape case too. Nice.
All three of those felonies had better stick. I'd sure want to know who I was hiring if I was looking at these guy's applications or resumes in the future.
A first glance, this seems clear cut. However, A number of inconsistencies appear.
It was unclear who called the police? That should be crystal clear. Three men together and the gal stuck around to attack back?? I know I would have run rather than engage THREE.
It also states there were 'others' around. What were they doing? Who were they?
As a teacher, I know the importance of questioning everyone. I never take the word of the person or people who are the loudest. I have found that sometimes their noise is to deflect attention on themselves. Did the authorities take the time to hear everyone involved here? Many lives and reputations are affected by the consideration of a few. I certainly believe that the people we trust in should be thoughtful and not rush to judgments. The victims are not always the ones who tell the first and loudest story. Let's pray for justice and good sense in the end here.
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