1 convicted, 4 acquitted of gang rape

Authorities say a disturbance broke out in a Champaign County courtroom as one man was convicted and four others acquitted in the gang rape of a Champaign teenager last spring.

URBANA, Ill. (AP) - Authorities say a disturbance broke out in a Champaign County courtroom as one man was convicted and four others acquitted in the gang rape of a Champaign teenager last spring.

Assistant State's Attorney Duke Harris said the yelling, screaming and crying came from the defendants and their supporters after a jury returned the mixed verdicts Thursday night.

Circuit Court Judge Tom Difanis ordered his courtroom cleared, and an ambulance was called to attend to some of the spectators.

Nineteen-year-old Marlone Pendleton, the sole defendant for whom the state had DNA evidence, was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault and faces six to 30 years in prison when sentenced Jan. 13.

Those acquitted were 18-year-old Cortez Ross, 17-year-old Johnnie Campbell, his 20-year-old brother, Rajon Campbell, and their 24-year-old cousin, Mario Jackson.