Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: News

Mark Bonnstetter, Eastern associate athletic director of operations and head athletic trainer, talks with his wife, Lori Bonnstetter, and his attorney, Raipher Pellegrino, after the jury reached a verdict around 6 p.m. on Monday in the Coles County Courthouse. (Karolina Strack | Daily Eastern News)

Click here to read the story's sidebar, "Closing arguments center on science."



Mark Bonnstetter was found not guilty Monday on all three charges related to an incident involving a former neighbor during the early morning of Nov. 25, 2006.

The neighbor alleged Bonnstetter fondled her while she was sleeping.

"I'm glad this is over, and that I can be with my family again," Bonnstetter said after the verdict was announced.

Bonnstetter, the associate athletic director of operations and head athletic trainer at Eastern, was charged with criminal trespass to a residence, a class 4 felony; residential burglary, a class 1 felony; and attempted criminal sexual abuse, a class A misdemeanor.

Bonnstetter said he was thankful for the jury's decision. He added he was confident during jury deliberations but is happy to go back home and be with his wife and kids.

"It's the only thing that matters," he said.

Assistant State's Attorney Mick McAvoy said he trusted the jury's judgment.

"I'll take the verdict they gave us," he said, noting that both sides, the state and the defense, did a good job.

"I think this was a difficult case for the jury to deal with where they got the experts arguing," he said.




Timeline: The trial of Mark Bonnstetter

To view in full screen, click here.




Bonnstetter's case lasted five days. Defense attorney Raipher Pellegrino argued during opening statements of the trial that it was undeniable Bonnstetter entered the neighbor's home, but said Bonnstetter was sleepwalking at the time.

The jury heard testimony from the neighbor, Bonnstetter and Bonnstetter's wife, Lori Bonnstetter. The jury also heard testimony from expert witnesses such as Dr. Rosalind Cartwright, who testified Bonnstetter was sleepwalking, and Dr. Henry Conroe, who testified Bonnstetter wasn't sleepwalking.

The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before announcing the verdict Monday evening.

Pellegrino said Cartwright's ability to take a complicated science and explain it in a way the jury could understand helped the defense win the case.

"We were seeking the truth," Pellegrino said. "The truth came through in a number of different voices and a number of different manners. In the end, it's clear that Mark was not guilty and never attempted to harm anyone."

Bonnstetter said Eastern was supportive throughout the trial, but added he could not have survived a conviction.

"I'm happy I can go home," he said.


Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or at sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.

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