Jury finds LaVictor guilty of rape

MARQUETTE – A federal jury in Marquette deliberated for less than two hours Monday afternoon before finding Lynn LaVictor guilty of raping a woman.

The nine woman, three man jury barely had a chance to finish their lunch before making the verdict.

LaVictor was found guilty in U.S. District Court in Marquette on all six felony counts, including two counts of aggravated sexual abuse, stemming from a brutal rape involving a 43–year–old woman this spring at LaVictor’s mother’s home on tribal property near the Soo.

The victim required sensitive internal surgery and was hospitalized for four days after the incident–reporting she had been raped by a foreign object.

The prosecution team led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee declined comment after the verdict.

The victim took the stand four times including Friday, during rare Saturday court and again Monday.  The victim told jurors she loved LaVictor and recanted statements she made to law enforcement and medical staff regarding the incident.

During closing arguments, Assistant Federal Public Defender Beth LaCosse asked jurors to not believe the testimony of a “parade” of former girlfriends, who claim Victor has a penchant for abusing women physically and sexually.

The victim, LaVictor, and the lead prosecutor are all members of the Sault Ste. Marie Band of the Chippewa Indians.

LaVictor was escorted from the federal building and taken to jail by U.S. Marshals.  LaVictor’s only comment after the verdict was to stick his tongue out at the media.

He will be sentenced May 8.