www.suntimes.com
Posted on 01/17/2003 6:02:58 PM PST by vannrox
January 16, 2003 BY ANNIE SWEENEY STAFF REPORTER
In dress clothes and with hands clasped tightly behind their backs, the four teens accused of raping and videotaping the attack of an unconscious 16-year-old girl during a party at a western suburban home said nothing during a court appearance Wednesday.
But emotions and tensions were quite high in the Bridgeview Courthouse, where the four appeared at a bond hearing before Judge David P. Sterba. The standing-room only hearing was filled with extended family and friends--including a priest. Family members comforted the four and were teary-eyed throughout the day. Several Cook County sheriff's deputies lined the hallway outside the courtroom, where Sterba heard arguments about whether the existing bail of $100,000 each should be increased.
Family members, for the most part, refused to speak with the news media. But as the four left the courthouse there was a scuffle between a TV reporter and photographer and at least one relative that led to shoving and shouting.
Adrian Missbrenner, 17, of Lyons Township; Burim Bezeri, 17, of Lyons; Christopher Robbins, 18, of Brookfield, and Sonny Smith, 18, of Brookfield, have all been charged with 140 counts ranging from aggravated criminal sexual assault to child pornography. They all face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.
The four appeared stone-faced for most of the day. Smith at one point sat on a bench outside the hearing with his head in his hands.
Families, media clash outside rape hearing
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The suspects
SONNY SMITH
The senior at Lyons Township High School is 18 and lives with his mother and father in Brookfield. He was in court Wednesday with his mother, two aunts and his grandparents. Prosecutors say he videotaped the sexual acts and gave instructions to the other three suspects about what to do with the girl. His attorney has denied the allegations.
ADRIAN MISSBRENNER
Also a senior at Lyons Township High School, the 17-year-old grew up in the Burr Ridge and La Grange area and lives in Lyons Township. He was in court with his family and family priest. Missbrenner is accused of having sex with the victim while she was passed out. His attorney has denied the allegations.
CHRISTOPHER ROBBINS
An 18-year-old high school senior, Robbins lives in Brookfield. He is a member of the Illinois National Guard and has a 3.5 grade point average. He also has worked as a pizza delivery man. Prosecutors say he inserted his penis in the victim's mouth while she was passed out. His attorney maintains he was not involved and does not appear on the tape.
BURIM BEZERI
A 17-year-old resident of Lyons, Bezeri attends Morton College to earn his GED and has worked odd jobs to help support family. Having dropped out of high school to work after his father died in a work-related accident, Bezeri has a juvenile record, but attorneys refused to release details. Prosecutors say Bezeri had sexual intercourse with the victim and also inserted a cigarette into her vagina while she was passed out. His attorney would not comment.
Cook County prosecutors allege the attack took place Dec. 7 at Missbrenner's home. A source close to the investigation said Tuesday the victim, a Naperville girl, had never met the four before the night of the alleged attack last month. The Cook County state's attorney's office refused to comment on that but said the victim was brought to the party, where alcohol was being consumed, about 2:30 a.m. by an acquaintance of the four teens.
In court Wednesday, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Peg Ogarek outlined how the attack took place. Prosecutors said the victim, who also had been drinking, was passed out the entire time of the incident. Smith allegedly videotaped the event, "telling defendants where to place their hands and what actions to perform,'' she said.
Missbrenner and Bezeri allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim and Robbins inserted his penis in her mouth, Ogarek said. Also, Bezeri is accused of inserting a cigarette in her vagina, Ogarek said.
Attorneys for Missbrenner, Robbins and Smith have denied their clients were involved.
"He's a good boy. He's just a fine young lad,'' said Robert Kuzas, an attorney for Robbins, who is in the Illinois National Guard. Kuzas has also maintained that his client is not depicted on the videotape.
Wednesday's hearing was held to determine whether the existing bond should be raised, but Sterba, after viewing the videotape, ruled that the four did not pose a flight risk and maintained the bond.
Sterba did order that they not leave their homes except for school or court; that they be under the supervision of the court; that they stay free of alcohol and drugs and be tested, and that they not speak about the victim.
"I want to know where these four people are at all times,'' Sterba said. "I want them in court or in their school.''
Smith and Robbins have reported that they have been harassed since the story broke over the weekend.
The next court date is Jan. 30.
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He's a good boy. He's just a fine young lad,'' said Robert Kuzas, an attorney for Robbins
Throw the lawyer in Menard with them, too.
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Somebody needs some time in the slammer. It's time to institute an attitude of seriousness about this scene.
I try to be a good Catholic, so I won't say what first came to mind.
In some ways it's about as average suburbia as one can get -- some blue collar, some white collar, some wealthy. Lyons, however, has its more sinister aspects; one of those nearer suburbs with a history seasoned with organized crime. I'm told that Frank Nitti was run over by a train in the old money town just across the river. I understand there's a large porn store and wholesaler in Lyons. I suppose a few more demons per capita like to hang around that town. Perhaps there's a more "direct connection" too, with the players in this particular production.
Of course, there are plenty of traditional churches in this area, as we know churches; also one or two that have been pretty unorthodox. I suppose the folks who attend and those that don't could both be called salt of the earth people. That doesn't seem to be enough, though, does it?
"Boys will be boys," right? Humankind will be humankind and evil is as evil does. "What about the parents?" I wonder (the parents of all of them). The Unspanked Generation's teenagers, are these?
Yes, it's kind of a typical old, near-to-mid suburban area, where tired commuters come home and open a bottle before supper and I'm sure many occasionally wish they would spend more time with their children.
I'm sure now, that some wish they had.
But there is still a Savior and He yearns to redeem.
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