Victim refuses to watch video of her rape, judge threatens to charge her

[The Straight Story]

Man Acquitted of Alleged Rape on Video

Jurors on Friday acquitted a man accused of taking part in an alleged rape of a teenager, who was videotaped as two men had sex with her.

A Cook County jury found Adrian Missbrenner, 20, not guilty of sexual assault and child pornography, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office said.

Missbrenner was one of four men charged in the assault of a woman who is now 20. The video, made in 2002, reportedly shows two men having sex with her and a third writing obscenities on her legs and thighs with a felt-tipped marker.

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.


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