Jury finds Plainfield man guilty of sex abuse

A Plainfield man was found guilty once again of a sex crime against a 16-year-old girl.

On Friday, a jury found William G. Snow, 55, of Plainfield, guilty of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and battery for sexually abusing a girl, who now is 21, while she was sleeping at his home in 2014.

The jury spent about six hours considering the verdict.

A Will County judge had found Snow guilty of the same charges on Sept. 7, 2016, but Snow succeeded in receiving a new trial after arguing his previous attorney, Paul Napolski, provided ineffective representation.

Will County assistant state’s attorneys made a motion to revoke Snow’s bond following the jury’s verdict, but Judge Dan Kennedy denied it. Kennedy will consider Snow’s sentencing on Jan. 9.

The victim’s father, said in a message to The Herald-News that “justice after 5 years two trials our daughter can maybe find some peace.” He did not respond to a call Monday.

Snow’s attorney, Omer Jaleel, said in his opinion the jury made “absolutely the wrong decision” but the legal system is built on jury verdicts and Snow has appeal rights.

Snow initially was represented Napolski but filed a motion for another trial through Jaleel. He accused Napolski of providing him with ineffective representation. The motion was granted on Feb. 23, 2017.

The victim filed a lawsuit against Snow on May 1. The case is still pending.

Snow’s ex-wife, Sheryl, was the girl’s cheerleading coach and his two children were friends with her, according to a Plainfield police report. The girl had been at Snow’s home after a graduation ceremony for his son.

In opening statements, Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeffrey Brown told the jury the evidence will show Snow had assaulted the girl while she was asleep and witnesses will say how she told them of what happened.

“The girl had no reason to lie. She is going to tell the truth on the stand,” Brown said.

Jaleel argued to the contrary, telling jurors the girl was inconsistent in her statements and thus not credible.

“Every time she’s spoken, she’s given a different account of what my client allegedly did to her,” Jaleel said.