Natasha McShane before the attack
Heriberto Viramontes, the man on trial in Chicago at present charged with the attempted murder of Silverbridge girl Natasha McShane, will not be taking the stand in his own defence.
Natasha, whose mum Sheila is a member of the Stewart family from Cox’s Demesne, has been left with extensive brain injuries and speech problems as a result of a baseball bat attack as she was walking home from a night out with a friend in Chicago in April 2010.
Viramontes is on trial at presented charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery and armed robbery in connection with the assault on Natasha and her friend Stacey Jurich.
Jurors were told yesterday, however, that the 34-year-old would not be testifying.
Already jurors have been played jailhouse recordings of Viramontes, in which he admitted he attacked the women. In one recording of his phonecalls from Cook County Jail, he could be heard saying: “My intention was not to kill them, my intention was to get money to get high.”
The defence team claims the evidence linking Viramontes to the crime is circumstantial and have attempted to cast doubt on the testimony of key witness Marcy Cruz, who was with him on the night in question.
The jury is expected to begin deliberating later today, after hearing closing arguments.
Related articles
- Attack on Natasha McShane lasted just three minutes, court hears (talkofthetown.ie)
Talk of the Town 