Getaway Driver Testifies Against Ex-Boyfriend in Bucktown Beating Trial

Marcy Cruz says she, Heriberto Verimontes had sex in van before he grabbed bat and attacked Natasha McShane and Stacy Jurich

The woman who drove the getaway car after two women were attacked by a man with a baseball bat in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood three years ago told jurors the bat belonged to the father of her two children.

Dressed in her jail garb, Marcy Cruz took the witness stand Monday as proceedings continued in the trial against her former boyfriend, Heriberto Viramontes, who is accused of attacking Natasha McShane and Stacy Jurich in April 2010.

As part of her deal, Cruz pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for each of two counts of attempted murder.

Cruz told the court the bat used in the attack was in the backseat of her mini van. She said
that she and Verimontes had sex in the van and that Verimontes then wanted to find someone to rob in Bucktown.

She said Verimontes spotted McShane and Jurich, saying, 'Look at all these white [expletive].' She said Verimontes told her he didn't want her "involved in nothing I'm about to do," before he grabbed the bat and jumped out of the van.

Cruz testified that Verimontes got back in the van with two purses and instructed her to “drive off.”

On cross-examination, the defense hammered Cruz on how her story changed from when she spoke with police and prosecutors.

Cruz’s father, Edwin Cruz, spoke to the press following the day’s testimony.

“I think she knows what happened is wrong and she’s accepting it,” Edwin Cruz said.

Both women suffered severe injuries in the violent beating. McShane still cannot speak or feed herself.

In court Friday, the jury viewed photos of the wooden baseball bat that prosecutors said was used in the attack.

Jurich, 27, took the stand on Thursday and described what happened to her and her friend after a celebratory night of dinner, drinks and dancing.

Viramontes, 37, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery and armed robbery. His defense team contends another man attacked the women, adding that Cruz implicated her former boyfriend because she will "say anything at any time, as long as it benefits her.

Cruz has already spent three years in the Cook County Jail.

Contact Us