McShane trial: ‘This crime changed her life forever’

Relief and a sense of justice were the overwhelming emotions felt by the McShane family after Heriberto Viramontes was found guilty of battering to near death their daughter and sister Natasha.

Viramontes was found guilty of the attempted murders of Ms McShane and her friend, Stacy Jurich, beaten and robbed as they returned home from a night out in the Bucktown neighbourhood of Chicago in Apr 2010.

The jury also found the 34-year-old guilty on six charges of aggravated battery and two of armed robbery, a total of 10, whittled down from the original 25. He faces a maximum 120 years in prison when sentenced, likely later this year.

In a statement on behalf of the McShane family, Natasha’s brother Conor said the crime three and a half years ago brought “great sadness and sorrow to our home”.

Members of the family, many of whom were in court for the week-long trial, hugged each other and cried after the verdict was read out just before 6pm local time, after some three and a half hours deliberating.

Conor McShane said: “The verdict provides us with a sense of justice, provides us with a sense of great relief.

“This crime changed her life forever and has had a devastating impact on our entire family.”

Ms McShane, aged 27, remains unable to walk without support and barely able to talk. She suffered a severe brain injury.

Conor McShane said Ms Jurich — who ran yelling and screaming into the street to quickly raise the alarm as his sister lay bleeding and battered on the road — was praised for her bravery. Natasha would not be alive today had it not been for Ms Jurich, he said.

He also thanked the prosecutors and the people of Chicago for their overwhelming “support and generosity”.

Viramontes’ family, two sisters, also spoke, and were angry they were not given any notice the verdicts were due to be delivered. They were not in court when the verdicts were read out.

Ms Jurich, now 27, said she is relieved Viramontes will not walk the streets again.

“I just wanted to say this has been hard over the last three years,” she said.

“This has been the hardest time of my entire life, a struggle for me and what happened to my best friend Natasha.”

Chicago’s lead prosecutor Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney, said her office was “pleased and relieved” the jury came to the conclusion Viramontes was guilty and will be held accountable for the “brutal and senseless” beating. “We live in a beautiful city and it’s a shame someone like Natasha McShane, here to continue her schooling, visiting from Ireland, was not able to enjoy our city. Instead of a welcoming she was confronted with a baseball bat.”

She also thanked the McShane family, which had “endured so much”.