Former Salon Owner Accused of Raping Employee Takes Stand

Accused serial rapist Marc Winner answered questions from defense attorneys and prosecutors for more than two and a half hours Thursday afternoon.

Winner, a former West Loop tanning salon owner has been accused by at least eight women of rape. One those women, a former salon employee identified only as JB, testified on Monday that Winner forced himself on her in the summer of 2009 after she says he gave her cocaine. Winner insisted he stopped short but that the victim had been flirting with him that night.

The first question for Winner from his defense attorney Thursday was about his appearance and what had happened to his eyes. Winner explained they were bulging due to a thyroid condition. From then on it was essentially denial after denial.

When asked about whether he raped a former employee of his, he said no.

The attorney asked if winner grab the alleged victim and started kissing her.

"No, it was mutual," Winner said. "She was giving me signals all night and we were fooling around."

Winner admitted to providing the alleged victim with cocaine that night but denied ever having intercourse.

Defense attorneys painted a picture of Winner as a germaphobe who ceased what he called “mutual” intimacy with the victim after learning she was menstruating.

Meanwhile, prosecutors focused in on a 911 call made by the victim immediately after the encounter as well as multiple calls winner admitted to making to the victim after the alleged rape.

Both the defense and prosecution rested their cases this afternoon.