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Derrick BrownMilwaukee County Sheriff's Office
Prosecuting attorney Kevin Shomin said his client, a 25-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted and beaten in December in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood, has remained strong and independent since then. She was just missing justice.
She got it Wednesday as a jury ruled 33-year-old Milwaukee man Derrick Brown guilty on charges of first-degree sexual assault with use of a dangerous weapon, kidnapping and carrying without consent and substantial battery with intentions of bodily harm.
"I'm very pleased with the verdict today," the victim said.
The victim was en route to get food the evening of Dec. 12 near N. Bremen St. when Brown grabbed her arm and told her to come with her, and the two walked toward Snail's Crossing Playground. When the victim said she didn't have anything for him to steal, Brown asked her to take off her pants, according to reports.
After she refused, he beat her with a replica gun and caused severe injuries before people in the neighborhood came to the scene for help. A nearby home welcomed the victim in for treatment.
The neighborhood held a small gathering a few days after the attack to offer up support of the victim. Ald. Nik Kovac said he hopes the way residents intervened to help erves as a precedent for other Milwaukee neighborhoods.
"Going forward, we shouldn't just rely on professionals," Kovac said. "We should rely on each other."
The victim, who testified Monday and faced Brown in the courtroom for the first time since her attack, said she has been grateful for all the support she received throughout the process and hopes to pay it forward someday.
"Even more so than being proud of myself, I'm proud of my community for having my back," she said.
Shomin showed the jury once more evidence of objects that had both the victim's blood and Brown's DNA on it, including a jacket, a Green Bay Packers baseball cap and a slide piece part of the replica gun.
It took the jury just 40 minutes to deliberate.
Brown's sentencing hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. July 22
https://archive.jsonline.com/news/crime/milwaukee-man-convicted-in-riverwest-sexual-assault-b99512876z1-306041281.html
