Lunsmann's accuser doesn't show for trial
By BRANDON COUTRE - bcoutre@nwherald.com
WOODSTOCK -- A jury trial set to start today for an ex-law enforcement official accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2006 has been delayed because the prosecution's chief witness -- his accuser -- failed to show.
Judge Sharon Prather reluctantly granted a prosecution request this morning to delay the Leslie Lunsmann trial for one day while investigators attempt to locate the woman, who is believed to be living in Joliet.
"I have to give them 24 hours to locate this witness, however, I won't grant any further continuance," Prather said.
Judge Prather also issued a rule to show cause against the woman, which essentially allows the alleged victim to be held in contempt of court if she doesn't appear.
Lunsmann's defense attorney, Mark Gummerson, objected to the delay.
"We've got speedy trial demand," Gummerson said. "Our witnesses are here. We're ready to start."
Prosecutors said the victim was served with a subpoena April 10 in a parking lot in southwest suburban Crest Hill.
When prosecutors talked with the alleged victim over the weekend, they believed she would appear in court today, said Michael Combs, an assistant state's attorney.
Investigators planned to go back to Joliet today to serve the woman with the new order.
In December, the state's attorney's office asked Prather to appoint a special prosecutor on the case partly because the alleged victim apparently became wary of the McHenry County State's Attorney' Office handling the case. Prather denied that request.
"The victim of the charged felony offense ... has expressed her fear that the defendant will not be vigorously prosecuted because of the defendant's background in law enforcement," according to court documents.
Lunsmann, 51, was once a member of McHenry County's law-enforcement community who fought drugs and gangs in the 1990s. At one point he served as an investigator under former state's attorney Gary Pack.
Lunsmann is charged with four felonies for allegedly sexually assaulting the 24-year-old woman. The alleged victim was an employee of Mulligan's Saloon, a McHenry bar Lunsmann once co-owned.
The abuse is alleged to have occurred in a locked back room of the bar the same night of a fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County.
After the assault occurred, prosecutors said Lunsmann threatened to kill the woman if she told anyone.
town: McHenry
