Marcy Cruz plea deals in 2010 Bucktown bat attack

Marcy Cruz

Marcy Cruz, 28, plead to two counts of attempted murder, with other charges dropped, today in the baseball bat beating case of two women walking under the railroad viaduct in Bucktown  at Churchill Park in the 1800 block of N. Damen on Apr. 23, 2010, according to Stephen Campbell in the Cook County States Attorney's office. 

Heriberto Viramontes

Under the agreement Cruz must serve 11 years per count and serve at least 85% of the sentence before being eligible for parole. In addition, Cruz will testify against Heriberto Viramontes, 34, who is accused of savagely beating the women. Cruz drove the getaway car. 

"Community is glad to see that justice was served on her and that she will testify against her co-defendent and likely send him away to prison for a long time," said 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack.

Cruz has been in Cook County Jail with a $1 million bond and Viramontes had no bond possibility since April 2010. They were both scheduled for court on Sept. 9, now Viramontes' next date is July 26 and Cruz's is Aug. 26.    

According to Logan Square's Joe Kopera, who has been following this case from the beginning, Viramontes has incurred additional charges resulting from having a girl friend take him drugs in jail. 

"Cruz's father, Edwin who has been at all the court hearings, has been taking care of her two children but he wants to go back to Puerto Rico. He has been a very nice person in court," said Kopera. "About 5 or 6 of his family members show up in court too. They are always waving at each other, being disruptive," explained Kopera."Viramontes has a long list of charges and convictions from felony on down, at least 30 or more." 

The victims were Stacy Jurich, now 27, and Natasha McShane, 26. McShane was a Northern Ireland exchange student and Jurich was a Bucktown resident. Their celebration of job related accomplishments turned to tragedy when Viramontes, wanting money and drugs. jumped out of Cruz's car and attacked the women. 

Jurich had 15 staples in her head. McShane, who was originally in a coma. is living in her own prison in Ireland,  still not recovered from the brutal attack.