A judge found a man guilty — rejecting an insanity defense — of trying to murder a woman in a brutal and unprovoked attack that left her critically injured, with one of her eyes permanently gone, and a good Samaritan injured at a McHenry park.
Raymond P. Link, 49, of West Allis, Wisconsin, was found guilty but mentally ill of attempted first-degree murder and six counts of aggravated battery on Wednesday following a bench trial before McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis.
The charges stem from an attack that occurred around 3:26 p.m. on May 5, 2024, at Petersen Park, 4300 Petersen Park Road in McHenry.
Prosecutors said a 59-year-old woman was walking her dog in the park when she became the victim of a “savage and unprovoked attack.”
Link violently assaulted the victim with his bare hands, beating, stomping and strangling her in a sustained attack that nearly left her dead, prosecutors said.
The attack was interrupted by the “courageous actions” of a 37-year-old bystander who observed the incident and immediately intervened while calling 911, prosecutors said.
Link falsely claimed he was performing CPR on the victim when confronted.
The bystander continued to approach and witnessed Link kick the victim in the head.
Prosecutors said Link then turned his violence toward the bystander, striking him and ordering his unleashed dog named “Dhamer” to attack.
The bystander suffered a broken clavicle and multiple dog bite injuries while attempting to protect the victim.
Officers with the McHenry Police Department responded quickly to the scene and took Link into custody.
The female victim suffered “catastrophic and life-altering injuries,” including the loss of an eye, multiple broken bones and permanent brain damage, prosecutors said.
“The attack was unprovoked and there did not appear to be any connection between Link and the victim,” police officials said at the time.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Link stomped, kicked and struck the woman in the head and neck.
The complaint said he placed both knees on her head and neck with his full body weight and attempted to strangle the victim with his “forearm and/or hands.”
The complaint said Link attempted to strangle the woman while she “laid unconscious and unresponsive on the ground.”
The attack resulted in avulsions to the victim’s left ear, a rupture to the globe of her left eye, multiple significant lacerations and an extensive open fracture of her facial bones, court documents said. She also suffered multiple dog bites.
The complaint said Link punched the male bystander in the chest and arms more than 12 times and ordered his dog to attack.
The female victim was transported to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry by ambulance and then flown by a LifeNet medical helicopter to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
The male victim was transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry.
Link’s dog, who fled the area, was later located and transferred to the care of McHenry County Animal Control.
Link has remained held in the McHenry County Jail following the incident. McHenry County Judge Michael Chmiel, who granted the petition to detain him pending trial, called the attack “horrific.”
Chmiel also found Link in contempt of court for his conduct in the courtroom during his initial hearing following his arrest.
Prosecutors said Link told police he attacked the female victim because he was “an angel of death,” ABC7 reported. Prosecutors said the woman would have died if the good Samaritan had not intervened.
Attorneys for Link raised an affirmative defense of insanity at trial after providing an expert opinion asserting that Link was insane at the time of the offense, which prosecutors rebutted.
Davis rejected the assertion after considering the testimony, evidence and arguments presented by the defense and prosecutors.
While the judge did not find Link insane, she did find him guilty but mentally ill. Illinois law says a finding of guilty but mentally ill does not relieve a defendant of criminal responsibility.
A defendant found guilty but mentally ill faces the same penalties as any other convicted offender but is mandated to undergo treatment while serving their sentence.
“This was a horrific act of violence that forever changed the lives of two innocent people,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said after the trial.
“The victim endured unimaginable injuries, and a brave citizen put himself in harm’s way to intervene and help save her life. This case presented extraordinarily complex legal and factual issues, including significant questions regarding the defendant’s mental state and criminal responsibility,” Freese said.
“These challenging prosecutions require experience, skill, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Our office is fortunate to have Chief of Staff Ashley Romito, whose knowledge, professionalism, and extensive trial experience were instrumental in successfully prosecuting this difficult case. We are grateful for her exceptional work, leadership, and dedication to our office’s mission,” the state’s attorney said.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 2.