Illinois man, 78,  stabs himself after jury’s guilty verdict for predatory sexual assault

Authorities say a central Illinois man stabbed himself in a courtroom shortly after a jury found him guilty in a predatory exual assault case.

Johnny Icard, 78, was sitting alone Wednesday at a defense table at the Law and Justice Center in Bloomington where he had represented himself at trial. 

Icard had been out on bond but a judge revoked it and the guilty verdict called for an up to 60 year sentence.

A woman was said to have screamed ‘he’s got a gun’ and then a McLean County deputy – who was sitting behind the man – was heard shouting ‘he’s got a knife.’ 

Johnny Icard, 78, was sitting alone Wednesday at a defense table at the Law and Justice Center in Bloomington where he had represented himself at trial

The deputy then rushed to subdue the defendant, the Pantagraph reports. 

After the verdict was read, Icard said: ‘I’ve got a lot of family affairs to take care of … I was not expecting this.’ 

He stabbed himself in the abdomen moments later. McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage said Icard used a folding knife with a 3 ½-inch blade. The jury that convicted him of predatory criminal sexual assault had already left the courtroom.

‘We are reviewing our security procedures and if we find that lax security procedures contributed to this, they will be addressed,’ added Sandage.   

Icard was taken to a hospital and is expected to recover. He’ll be sentenced next month.

But the incident was not the first time that the Bloomington resident has tried to hurt himself. 

Shirley Icard – the man’s wife – explained that her husband had attempted suicide in February 2017, just two days after he had been accused of molesting a minor girl. 

The incident was what Icard was on trial for when he stabbed himself. 

McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage said Icard used a folding knife with a 3 ½-inch blade to stab himself in the abdomen. he jury that convicted him of predatory criminal sexual assault had already left the courtroom

McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage said Icard used a folding knife with a 3 ½-inch blade to stab himself in the abdomen. he jury that convicted him of predatory criminal sexual assault had already left the courtroom

He had been found inside his car with the garage door closed and was taken to the hospital. 

During the closing arguments on Wednesday, Assistant State’s Attorney Jacob Harlow played Icard’s police interview where when asked about the accusations he said ‘anything’s possible.’ 

He also admitted to being a drinker, and informed officers ‘I do drink so it could have been when I’d been drinking.’ 

Harlow also cited a 20-year-old allegation against Icard by a girl in Michigan as proof of a history of misconduct. 

He stated that ‘alcohol and opportunity do not mix’ for the man. 

‘I’m thankful that these young survivors had the courage and confidence to bare the weight of what was asked of them this week,’ Harlow said after the verdict was read. 

‘I also hope the jury’s verdict serves as affirmation for their decisions to participate in the legal process.’ 

Harlow also shared that the child’s testimony ‘gave a heartbreaking demonstration of what no 6-year-old should have to experience.’

On Tuesday, the victim shared in her testimony that Icard touched her inappropriately when she met him in his garage in February 2017. 

She shared with investigators that she was ‘pretty sure it was more than one time’ when they asked her if the ‘touches’ had happened before.

Icard was said to have told the girl ‘don’t tell anyone’ before trying to assure her that ‘he did it to his own kids.’

During his final remarks, Icard attempted to discredit the victim’s statements because the girl offered differing dates in her testimony. 

But the girl was unshaken during her exchange with Icard in the courtroom.   

 



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