UPDATE.
aquited!
jury acquitted a 20-year-old Burr Ridge man Friday in a highly publicized Cook County rape trial, much of which focused on a video recording of the alleged assault four years ago.
The jury deliberated for about four hours before finding Adrian Missbrenner not guilty of sexual assault and child pornography, Cook County state's attorney's office spokesman John Gorman said.
Missbrenner is one of four men who were charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Naperville woman, who is now 20. A video recording in 2002 ? when the woman was 16 years old ? reportedly shows two males having sex with her and a third writing obscenities on her legs and thighs with a felt-tipped marker.
In September, Missbrenner was sentenced to three years probation for bail jumping and fleeing to Europe to avoid prosecution in the case. He surrendered to U.S. authorities in Serbia and returned to Illinois in May ? eight months after initially jumping bail.
Prosecutors and victims rights groups expressed disappointment in Friday's verdict.
"We don't agree with the verdict, but we accept it," Gorman said.
Polly Poskin, executive director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault called the verdict "atrocious."
"The victim's rights were trampled, and the jury reaffirmed that women can be brutally raped without consequence," Poskin said. "The jury and the entire legal system should be ashamed."
Kaethe Morris Hoffer, a private attorney working with the alleged victim, said she thought prosecutors had a winnable case.
"I think that sexual assault survivors across this country are going to be devastated by this," she said.
A message left at the office of Missbrenner's attorney, Patrick Campanelli, was not immediately returned Friday evening. There was no listing in the telephone directory for a Missbrenner in Burr Ridge.
Earlier this week, Circuit Judge Kerry Kennedy threatened to charge the alleged victim with contempt of court after she refused to watch the videotape while being questioned by a defense attorney. A day later, however, Kennedy said defense attorneys could cross-examine the woman without her watching the video.
Kennedy's initial demand that the woman watch the 20-minute tape infuriated victims' advocacy groups and despite the judge's ultimate decision, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he would draft legislation barring rape victims from having to view videotapes or photographs of the crime.
One man has been convicted in connection with the alleged attack. Sonny Smith, 20, of Brookfield, served time in an Illinois Department of Corrections boot camp after pleading guilty to child pornography charges for making the videotape.
Burim Berezi, of Brookfield, is accused of being the second man to have sex with the woman in the video. Authorities say he has fled to Albania and has not been captured.
Christopher Robbins, 21, of Brookfield, was acquitted of all charges in the case.
guess we thats why she didnt want to view the tape. it didnt show her getting raped eh?