Man Sentenced To 65 Years In Brutal Park Attack

MCHENRY — A 49-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced to 65 years in prison after being convicted of attempting to murder a woman and attacking a bystander who intervened during a 2024 assault at Petersen Park, prosecutors said.

Raymond Link was sentenced Wednesday in McHenry County Circuit Court following his conviction for attempted first-degree murder and six counts of aggravated battery. The sentence was the maximum allowed under Illinois law for the offenses of which Link was convicted, according to the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

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The attack happened on May 25, 2024, when a woman walking her dog in Petersen Park became the victim of an unprovoked assault, prosecutors said. According to evidence presented at trial, Link repeatedly beat, stomped and strangled the woman.

A bystander witnessed the attack, called 911 and intervened.

When confronted, Link falsely claimed he was performing CPR on the woman, prosecutors said. As the bystander approached, he witnessed Link kick the woman in the head.

Link then attacked the bystander and ordered his dog, named Dhamer, to attack. The bystander suffered a broken clavicle and multiple dog-bite injuries while attempting to protect the woman, according to the state's attorney's office.

The woman suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of an eye, multiple broken bones and permanent brain damage, according to prosecutors.

Link was found guilty but mentally ill following a bench trial on June 24.

During the trial, Link asserted an insanity defense, prosecutors said. After considering the evidence, testimony and arguments, Davis rejected the defense and found Link criminally responsible for the attack.

"This was an extraordinarily vicious and senseless attack that forever altered the lives of two innocent people," McHenry County State's Attorney Randi Freese said. "The victim suffered catastrophic injuries that she will carry for the rest of her life, while a courageous stranger put his own safety at risk to intervene and help save her."