A judge has ordered a new trial and thrown out the conviction against a Woodstock man after previously finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a child in Woodstock.
Nathan H. Rigg, 35, of the 200 block of North Tryon Street in Woodstock, was indicted in April 2021 on charges of three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony, and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child, a Class 2 felony.
Court documents alleged that Rigg sexually abused a family member, who was under the age of 13, on at least three occasions in 2019.
Rigg was arrested in March 2020 on a warrant and was released from the McHenry County Jail after posting 10% of a $50,000 bond.
A bench trial in front of McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge took place on February 10.
Coppedge found Rigg guilty on February 18 on two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony.
Rigg was found not guilty of one count of predatory criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child.
Following the trial, Rigg’s bond was revoked and deputies took him into custody.
An attorney for Rigg filed a motion for reconsideration of guilt and new trial.
The motion stated that numerous errors were committed during Rigg’s trial, including by the judge and by Rigg’s former attorney.
On Thursday, which is when the man was supposed to be sentenced, Coppedge granted the motion. Coppedge found that Rigg’s trial counsel was ineffective.
Coppedge ordered for a new trial and reversed Rigg’s trial conviction.
Rigg was released from the McHenry County Jail after the ruling. A status on trial date hearing is scheduled for July 7.
A jury trial has been tentatively set for August 15, court records show.