By Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) A beating and rape outside of an apartment building on Chicago’s North Side has landed a Chicago man in prison for 24 years.
In December 2012 a woman was returning to her apartment building on the 4400 block of North Sheridan Road, in Uptown, when she was approached by 36-year-old Jason Gurneau.
Prosecutors say Gurneau pushed the woman down, slammed her head against the pavement, and repeatedly punched her in the face and body. He choked her, threw her body against the building until she was unconscious, and raped her.
It was a neighbor who heard the screams and called the police. A witness knocked the suspect off of his bike as he tried to get away and when police arrived he was immediately arrested.
The victim suffered injuries including severe bruising to the face and a broken nose. DNA linked Gurneau to the crime and he pleaded guilty to Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault.
Gurneau has received 21 years for the beating and rape. The judge added another 3 years for attacking a jail guard while awaiting trial.
