An alleged “Fifty Shades of Grey” re-enactment gone wrong between two University of Illinois at Chicago students was not rape, a judge ruled Thursday. Defendant Mohammad Hossain, a 19-year-old freshman biology student, was cleared of a rape charge he faced last month and released from jail, the Chicago Tribune reported. A Cook County judge found no probable cause against Hossain after a preliminary hearing involving his 19-year-old classmate accuser. The woman claimed Hossain had physically and sexually abused her in a kinky encounter supposedly inspired by the “Fifty Shades of Grey” film. The accuser, whose name has not been released, said she and Hossain already had a “friends with benefits” sexual relationship and sometimes experimented with bondage. On Feb. 21, after she finished watching the S&M-themed hit film by herself, she texted Hossain to hang out, she said. After they discussed the movie, Hossain asked if she wanted to … [Read more...] about Alleged ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ re-enactment between two University of Illinois students was not rape: judge
Illinois
Dallas police officer dresses up as Superman to surprise Illinois boy with cancer
He wasn't faster than a speeding bullet, but he was still a superhero to a little boy with cancer. A Dallas police officer drove 11 hours to raise the spirits of a 7-year-old boy in Illinois who was diagnosed with lymphoma. When Senior Cpl. Damon Cole arrived at Bryce Schottel's home in Smithton, he dressed up in a Superman costume. "If I can bring happiness to this family that's going through this very tough time in life, why not do it?" Cole told the Dallas Morning News. The officer, who has a 7-year-old daughter, saw a picture of the child in the superhero costume online and decided he wanted to do something for him. So he arrived at the family's home in full costume and with his black 2012 Dodge Charger wrapped in Superman colors. When Bryce opened the door he was handed a cape, action figure and keychain from his new super friend, the newspaper reported. "No no no, you're the real Superman. We're just people in costumes," Bryce's father Brian Schottel said Cole … [Read more...] about Dallas police officer dresses up as Superman to surprise Illinois boy with cancer
Craigslist killing: arrest made in case of Southern Illinois University student found in shallow grave after trying to sell car through online ad
A Missouri man was arrested for killing an Illinois college student during a meeting about the student's Craigslist car ad after the 19-year-old was found buried in a shallow grave Tuesday, authorities said. Michael Gordon, 24, was charged with murder after police found Taylor Clark near the truck driving center where Gordon worked, Missouri officials said. Via email, Gordon and Clark arranged to meet on Monday about Clark's prized red Nissan 350ZX, which he listed for $11,000 on Craigslist, Florissant police said. Gordon test-drove the car before he fired one bullet at the Southern Illinois University sophomore, police spokesman Tim Fagen told reporters Wednesday. Gordon then tried to hide his body in a nearby wooded area, Fagen said. Authorities found Clark, who had been reported missing the day of the meeting, after using cellphone records to find his last location, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Clark was about 400 feet away from his car, … [Read more...] about Craigslist killing: arrest made in case of Southern Illinois University student found in shallow grave after trying to sell car through online ad
Illinois man accused of beating two dogs to death with hammers, suffocating a third with plastic bag
An Illinois man faces animal cruelty charges after allegedly beating two dogs to death with a hammer. Juan Rositas, from Waukegan, also suffocated a third with a plastic bag, reports the chicagotribune.com. Officers said one poor dog was beaten with a claw hammer, the other with a sledgehammer. Both dogs were pit bulls. The grisly attacks on the dogs took place between Thanksgiving and January 1. Another dog was killed by a having a plastic bag placed over its head until it stopped breathing. Police were tipped off about the animal killings by the state attorney's office. When they investigated they found three graves in the 49-year-old's backyard. Rositas faces up to seven years in jail for each felony charge of animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals. He also faces misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and at the time of the attacks on the dogs a warrant was out for his arrest on charges of aggravated assault and use of a deadly weapon. … [Read more...] about Illinois man accused of beating two dogs to death with hammers, suffocating a third with plastic bag
Prolific Illinois family racks up 100th grandchild
An Illinois couple jokes they could start their own town after welcoming their 100th grandchild into the world. Leo and Ruth Zanger, from Quincy, have 12 children, 53 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, reports the Quincy Herald-Whig. The arrival of great-grandchild Jaxton Leo on April 8 saw the number of infants produced by the pair's own children reach the century mark. "The good Lord has just kept sending them," said Leo Zanger, who tied the knot with Ruth 59 years ago. "We could start our own town," he added. The couple's eldest child, Linda, is now 58. Their youngest is 31-year-old Joe, who by the time he was born, was already an uncle 10 times over. Their grandson Austin, whose wife, Ashleigh, gave birth to landmark baby boy Jaxton, said the five generations of family regularly rented out a church hall for gatherings. "We're all really close. We get … [Read more...] about Prolific Illinois family racks up 100th grandchild
Illinois man drowns in lake after jumping in to rescue cat: cops
An Illinois man died Sunday night during a daring rescue mission in the water — for a cat. The cat is OK, but William A Anderson, 46, drowned in Loon Lake, and sent two of his friends into the water with him, when he jumped in to rescue it, police said. Anderson was canoeing with a man and woman in Antioch, about 50 miles north of Chicago, when a cat they were carrying in the canoe jumped into the water, which is about 35 feet deep. Anderson leapt into the water to save the cat, causing the canoe to capsize, and he sunk under the water shortly after 7:30 p.m. His body was recovered after midnight. Boaters nearby pulled Anderson’s friends, as well as the cat, to safety. The friends were about 200 feet from the shore, and authorities said none of them were wearing life jackets, the Daily Herald reported. Police also said alcohol was a factor in Anderson’s fatal feline feat. With News Wire Services Follow @jaysunsilver … [Read more...] about Illinois man drowns in lake after jumping in to rescue cat: cops
NCAA Tournament: Bubble team Illinois crushed by average Michigan, 73-55
Oh, Illinois, that’s just a rough loss in the Big Ten tournament on Thursday. Oft-mentioned as a bubble team by bracketologists, the Illini needed to show something positive at the Big Ten tournament in Chicago to have any shot at an at-large bid and got overrun by an average Michigan bunch, 73-55. With Illinois leading, 19-17, with 8:21 left in the first half, Michigan went on a 31-6 run to squash what maybe left of the Illini’s tourney hopes. That win at Michigan State on Feb. 7 seems like it happened 33 weeks ago rather than 33 days. The home win over Maryland one month before that and a victory over Baylor in November gave Illinois (19-14) huge tournament cred, but it turns out not to be a good day for the Illini. BUBBLICIOUS VIEWING FOR THURSDAY Air Force vs. Boise State, MWC quarters: Top-seed Broncos (24-7, RPI: 39) can’t afford a hiccup this early in Mountain West tournament. A win solidifies their tournament resume. Auburn vs. Texas A&M, … [Read more...] about NCAA Tournament: Bubble team Illinois crushed by average Michigan, 73-55
Illinois women’s basketball assistant coach dismissed amid rash of allegations regarding mistreatment of players
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — As the University of Illinois continues to deal with accusations that members of its Illinois football staff mistreated a player, the school said Monday it has also looked into concerns raised by parents of women’s basketball players that preceded the departure of an assistant coach. Spokeswoman Robin Kaler said Monday that associate head coach Mike Divilbiss and the university “had agreed to part ways.” The university looked into allegations in April made by three players’ parents in letters to school officials and found no violations of laws, NCAA rules or university policies, Kaler said. Those allegations included unspecified concerns about one player’s medical treatment. “The inquiry process included the review of numerous documents, information related to current and past seasons, and interviews of more than 20 individuals currently or formerly affiliated with the Women’s Basketball program,” she … [Read more...] about Illinois women’s basketball assistant coach dismissed amid rash of allegations regarding mistreatment of players
Former Illinois congressman Aaron Schock can’t be found, says lawyer in suit over campaign donations
CHICAGO — Where is Aaron Schock? An attorney for a campaign donor suing the former Illinois congressman told a federal judge he has been unable to locate the Republican, who resigned amid questions about his spending, to serve him notice about the lawsuit, a Chicago newspaper reported Thursday. Daniel Kurowski filed the lawsuit on April 15 on behalf of Howard Foster, of Chicago, who donated $500 to Schock’s campaign in 2012. The suit seeks repayment of millions of campaign dollars to Foster and other contributors on grounds the 33-year-old from Peoria tricked them into believing and supporting him. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Kurowski said Wednesday in court in Chicago that he can’t find Schock to serve him with the lawsuit, a legal formality in such civil cases. Kurowski said he tried a Peoria address for Schock, but the property is now vacant. No lawyer representing Schock was present at the hearing, and an email message … [Read more...] about Former Illinois congressman Aaron Schock can’t be found, says lawyer in suit over campaign donations
Inmate escapes from Illinois jail after attacking guard, stealing his car: police
An armed inmate escaped from an Illinois jail Wednesday after attacking a guard, stealing his uniform and fleeing in his car, police said. The 23-year-old fugitive, Kamron Taylor, who was recently convicted of murder, attacked the correctional officer at Jerome Combs Detention Center about 3 a.m., taking the keys to his SUV, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office said. Taylor is considered armed and dangerous, police said. He was about to be sentenced when he made a break for it. He is a 5'9" black male, who weighs about 170 pounds. The vehicle is a 2012 Brown Chevrolet Equinox with an Illinois license plate of P506660. Join the Conversation: … [Read more...] about Inmate escapes from Illinois jail after attacking guard, stealing his car: police