Thread: Rapist Begs Judge for Mercy

Rapist begs judge for mercy; sentencing May 23

May 10, 2008

By Nathaniel Zimmer, Staff Writer

Faced with the prospect of spending up to 15 years in prison, convicted rapist Tadeusz Slusarz wept and pleaded for mercy at his sentencing hearing Friday, saying he never had used force against a woman in his life.

Asked near the end of the hearing if he wished to make a statement, Slusarz said he did but then stood unable to speak as he wiped away his tears. Finally, the former Oak Lawn resident proceeded in his native Polish, an interpreter at his side.

"I beg you for mercy," he said to Judge David Sterba, who will sentence Slusarz on May 23. Slusarz was found guilty of criminal sexual assault after a jury trial in April.

In a written statement read by Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Deno, the victim, who attended the hearing, said Slusarz had robbed her of her innocence.

"My life will never be the same," the woman wrote. She was 20 when Slusarz, then 49, raped her while she was passed out drunk after a party at his home in 1999. Slusarz was caught in the act by his daughter-in-law, the victim's best friend at the time. Slusarz later jumped bail and escaped arrest for seven years until he was tracked down by the FBI on Chicago's South Side.

The woman said she had trouble sleeping for six months after the attack. She closed herself off from friends, felt ashamed and blamed herself, asking, "Why didn't I wake up?"

She said she thought she had put the episode behind her until the trial started and she testified.

"That little old man ... has once again taken my dignity," she said. Though raised to believe in the innate goodness of people, she said, "There is one man I cannot believe comes from anything good," namely Slusarz.

Slusarz offered as character witnesses several longtime employers who said they knew nothing about the charges against him until he was arrested a second time.

Palos Park real estate broker Wayne O'Day said he had known Slusarz for a dozen years and relied on him to do maintenance work at apartment buildings he owned. He called him a "stand-up person" with "an incredible, strong work ethic."

"He's not an evil man," O'Day said. He said Slusarz's flight from justice and conviction did not change his opinion.

Deno said Slusarz's conduct made it clear he "does what's good for him," not for others. He accused Slusarz of lying on the stand when he said his victim had consented to having sex with him.

Slusarz's attorney, John Eannace, noted that aside from his recent conviction and a pair of drunken driving convictions from the 1990s, his client's record since he arrived in the United States in 1986 is clean. Although he denies it, Slusarz may have a drinking problem, and his judgment may have been impaired by his drinking the night of the rape, Eannace said.

"He is not likely to commit another crime," Eannace said.

Nathaniel Zimmer can be reached at nzimmer@southtownstar.com or
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/94224 ... st.article

his attorney "He's not an Evil man ." Maybe not , i don't know him nor paid to be his mouth piece . But unlike Muslims , in America you do not rape ! This is a Womans Right in this country to protect her body and soul . Passed out drunk she was unable to resist or protect herself . He is guilty and i'm happy to say "15 Judge" . An Eye for an Eye

Slusarz may have a drinking problem, and his judgment may have been impaired by his drinking the night of the rape


Yar think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?? ???????????????????????

SORRY....NO EXCUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!