American Idol 2010 – American Idol Season 9


A Cook County jury resumes deliberations today in the trial of a 16-year-old resident of a Streamwood behavioral health center accused of raping a female counselor who was driving him back to the center after a family visit in 2008.
Judge Ellen Beth Mandeltort in Rolling Meadows branch court ordered the jurors home Wednesday night after they deliberated for more than five hours and still had not reached a verdict in the trial of Ronald Patterson.
Patterson, who was 15 at the time of the alleged attack and a ward of the state, was charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault.
After his arrest, Patterson was automatically transferred to adult court under state law governing violent felonies committed by juveniles.
Prosecutors said the victim was a 25-year-old mental health technician who worked for the John Costigan Center while pursuing a master’s degree in social work.
She picked up Patterson in the center’s van at the Hinsdale Oasis where his adoptive father dropped him off on Dec. 14, 2008. Patterson was out on a weekend pass from the center.
On the way back to the center, Patterson ordered the woman to take an exit from the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway by threatening to grab the steering wheel and crash the van, prosecutors said.
He ordered her to drive into a parking lot in the 1400 block of Wright Boulevard in Schaumburg and then forced her into the van’s backseat by choking her, prosecutors said. He pulled off her clothing and assaulted her, prosecutors said.
Patterson’s defense attorney told the court that there was not enough physical evidence of an assault to convict him, noting that no DNA from Patterson was found on the woman.
–George Houde
Sphere: Related ContentPutting on another extraordinary show, Lady Gaga performed last night (November 27) at the opening night of The Monster Ball Tour at Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.
The “Bad Romance” singer blew the audience away as she rocked the stage with her high energy and amazing vocals.
The day before, the 23-year-old singer paid a visit to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” where she performed “Bad Romance” and “Speechless,” and sat down with Ellen for an interview.
DeGeneres praised the songstress for becoming a huge success, saying, “Look at you, you’re huge. In one year.” Gaga joking responded with, “Not as big as Ellen!”
Sphere: Related Content
As you know Oprah has appeared on every cover alone except for this and the issue she featured Michelle Obama. Ellen launched at “O, Yes I Can!” campaign in March to get Oprah’s attention for the cover…well actually two covers, there’s an alternate one.
Photo: O Magazine