December 26, 2024
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Sentencing for Woodstock man convicted twice of sexually abusing child postponed after he hires third lawyer

In November, Nathan Rigg argued on his own behalf for what would have been a third trial and was denied.

By Amanda Marrazzo
Nathan Rigg listens to testimony Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, during his jury trial before Judge Michael Coppedge in the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock. Rigg was charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than age 13, a Class X felony. Rigg was accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child in 2019, according to court records. The case was investigated by the Woodstock Police Department, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2020.

Nathan Rigg listens to testimony Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, during his jury trial before Judge Michael Coppedge in the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock. Rigg was charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than age 13, a Class X felony. Rigg was accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child in 2019, according to court records. The case was investigated by the Woodstock Police Department, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2020. (Gregory Shaver - gshaver@shawmedia.com/Gregory Shaver for Shaw Media )

A Woodstock man convicted twice this year of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child was set for sentencing Friday. Instead, he appeared with a new lawyer – his third – and a new sentencing hearing was scheduled for Jan. 13.

Nathan Rigg, 36, has been found guilty of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, Class X felonies that could send him to prison for up to 60 years.

He first was found guilty in February by McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge after a bench trial. In a rare move, Coppedge threw out the conviction after Rigg’s new attorney, Patrick Campanelli, argued that he had ineffective counsel with his trial lawyer.

Rigg then had his case heard again by a jury with Campanelli as his defense attorney but again was found guilty.

Prosecutors said that Rigg sexually assaulted a child younger than 13 between September and December 2019.

Rigg, whose bond was revoked after being found guilty in September and currently is in the custody of the McHenry County jail awaiting sentencing, has denied all allegations.

On Oct. 27, when Rigg was set to be sentenced, Campanelli argued a motion at length for reconsideration. In part, he said he had erred in not clarifying one of the charges the jury considered in deliberations.

When Coppedge denied the attorney’s motion, Rigg presented a pro se motion stating that his rights were violated because he did not receive effective legal counsel.

On Nov. 4, Rigg argued the 28 points in his motion in a Krankel hearing, a procedure a judge takes after a defendant raises a pro se claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.

Coppedge denied Rigg’s motion and set Friday for sentencing.

On Friday, defense attorney Albert Wysocki appeared with Rigg and told Coppedge he is now representing the defendant. He requested all filings and pleadings be released to him for review.

Wysocki told the judge he plans on filing motions for reconsideration.

Coppedge asked the attorney to file the motions in advance of the new sentencing date “to ascertain what impact it has [on the sentencing], if any.”

Attempts to reach Campanelli and Wysocki for comment Friday afternoon were not successful.

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