Man accused in ‘unprovoked’ attack on woman in McHenry park ordered held in jail on attempted murder charge

A Wisconsin man who authorities say beat and attempted to choke a woman in a “completely unprovoked” attack in a McHenry park – and then allegedly punched and sicced his pit bull on a man who tried to intervene – was ordered Monday afternoon to be held in jail while awaiting trial.

Raymond P. Link, 47 – who repeatedly angrily interrupted his pretrial detention hearing Monday afternoon with incoherent statements, including referring to himself as “Lord Saturn” – is charged with attempted murder and other offenses after authorities said he beat a 59-year-old woman, tried to strangle her and held her down with his knee on her neck.

According to police and prosecutors, Link, of West Allis, was out with his unleashed dog Sunday afternoon when he “suddenly attacked and battered” the woman, who suffered serious injuries to her face, lacerations and multiple dog bites and was flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. Officials said in court that she was expected to survive but lost a large amount of blood.

McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Julio Cantre said a family was nearby in Petersen Park when they heard a “blood-curdling scream.”

Cantre called it a “completedly unprovoked” attack, and McHenry police said in a news release earlier Monday that “there did not appear to be any connection between Link and the victim.” The woman had been walking her dog at the time. The 37-year-old man who intervened also was beaten and suffered a broken clavicle and a dog bite, according to police and prosecutors.

According to a complaint filed by authorities in McHenry County court, Link “took substantial steps to commit First Degree Murder ... in that [he] knowingly and unlawfully stomped, kicked, and struck [the woman] about the head and neck, 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, while the victim laid unconscious and unresponsive on the ground.” Link also “attempted to strangle the victim with his forearm and/or hands obstructing the victim’s ability to breath, while the victim laid unconscious and unresponsive on the ground, causing avulsions to the victim’s left ear, ruptured globe of left eye, multiple significant lacerations, and an extensive open fracture of facial bones,” according to the complaint.

Link further is accusing of striking the man who intervene “with a closed fist in excess of 12 times in the chest and arms, and ordered his dog to attack” him, according to the court records.

Link was arrested after police responded to the scene about 3:30 p.m. Sunday and transported to the McHenry County jail. Link is charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with strangulation and aggravated battery in a public place. His dog fled, but was later located and placed in care of McHenry County Animal Control. Cantre said the dog was shocked with a Taser by police after they arrived on the scene.

At Link’s initial court hearing Monday, he first appeared via Zoom from jail but was unruly, prompting Judge Michael Chmiel to reschedule Link’s appearance until later Monday afternoon, when Link was brought in to the courtroom, flanked by three corrections officers. The judge admonished Link not to swear or to interrupt. At one point Chmiel held Link in contempt of court, although the judge later said he would address the contempt ruling at a future hearing. Link apologized in court for swearing before Chmiel ruled the state had met its burden in proving Link is a danger to the community and should remain in jail while he awaits his trial.

Police said the incident is under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the McHenry Police Department at 815-363-2599. Anonymous tips can be made to 815-363-2124, a line that does not use caller ID, authorities said.