Assault jury to see footage of student struggling to walk since beating

A video of student Natasha McShane will form the dramatic centrepiece of the trial of the man accused of beating her with a baseball bat as she walked home from a night out in Chicago.

The video shows how the 27-year-old has struggled terribly since the attack in Apr 2010.

Natasha’s alleged attacker, Heriberto Viramontes, will go on trial today accused of attempted murder and two dozen other charges, including armed robbery.

The young woman, from Silverbridge, in Co Armagh, is severely disabled, and can barely walk or talk, three and a half years after she and her friend Stacy Jurich were set upon in the Bucktown neighbourhood on the north side of the city.

Her parents and two siblings will be in Chicago for the trial, which is likely to last more than a week. It begins with jury selection today.

Sheila McShane, Natasha’s mother, will give evidence of the extent of the injuries the young exchange student suffered and her continuing struggles.

At the heart of the trial will be a video of Natasha trying to walk, standing on one foot, and of her drinking from a cup. The prosecution wants to show the devastating impact of the attack.

At a hearing, Cook County Judge Jorge Alonso ruled he would allow the clips but not one that shows Natasha trying to put pegs in a board.

The defence argued it would be too prejudicial and the judge agreed it was the “most disturbing one”.

Natasha has not been told the trial is taking place, her father, Liam, said. He told the Chicago Tribune newspaper: “No, no. We wouldn’t say that to her, in case it brings back memories. Maybe someday if she can get better, she’ll have to know. But I don’t feel that I have to tell her now.”

Defendant Viramontes, aged 34, has denied the charges against him.

His one-time female co-defendant, Marcy Cruz, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder, agreed to a sentence of 22 years, and is expected to testify against Viramontes.

In a statement to prosecutors, Cruz said Viramontes talked earlier on the night of Apr 23, 2010, about carrying out a robbery.

She parked the van they were travelling in, Viramontes exited with a baseball bat, and returned some five minutes later with two purses, according to Cruz.

Liam McShane said Natasha is able to take a couple of steps with a walker. She enjoys using the pool.

“She only floating and kicking her legs, but she loves the pool. You know from her face, her eyes, and her smile,” her father said.

But Natasha still cannot speak, except to quietly say “yes” or “no”.

The family want the trial over and done with, Mr McShane said, adding: “You don’t know what emotions it will bring to the surface.”