S. Illinois man accused of attacking girlfriend

A Union County, Ill., man faces attempted murder and home invasion charges for allegedly attacking his former girlfriend early Saturday morning in the home they had shared.

Nicholas L. Rendleman, 27, was arrested Monday while on the job at Transcraft Corp. in Anna, Ill. He is accused of choking his former girlfriend, Rachel Hayes, 32, until she blacked out during a domestic assault at her home, said Allen James, Union County state's attorney.

Bond was set at $300,000. He will have his first appearance in court today in Jonesboro, Ill.

Union County sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic assault call at 1505 Old Highway 51 North early Saturday, James said. Hayes called law enforcement to report that Rendleman, whom she had kicked out Friday from the home she owned, had attacked her, James said.

Worse than thought

Rendleman was initially arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, James said. After Hayes received medical treatment, he said, it was clear the assault was more serious than officers initially believed.

"Officers didn't know the extent of what occurred, so they charged him with plain domestic battery," James said.

Rendleman posted bond and was released. "It wasn't until we got further information this morning that we knew the extent of her injuries," James said. "They were pretty severe."

According to a news release, Rendleman choked Hayes until she became unconscious and started convulsing. The charges are attempted first-degree murder, home invasion and aggravated domestic battery, James said.

Both the attempted murder and home invasion charges are Class X felonies that carry a penalty of six to 30 years in prison. The domestic battery charge carries a potential penalty of three to seven years in prison.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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