Trial set in Neptune attack

By Hank Brockett

Wednesday yielded a trial date for a former NIU student accused of attempted murder.

Carl Esposito, 20, of Elgin will return to court at 10 a.m. June 11 after a final status check June 7, Judge Douglas Engel ruled at a hearing.

University Police responded to a domestic violence complaint last April 17 at Neptune Hall West, and soon afterward Esposito was arrested in his third-floor room. Reports indicate that Esposito entered a female student’s room wielding a 5-inch knife, then threatened and attacked her.

Esposito, a sophomore communication major at the time of his arrest, is not currently enrolled.

He faces four felony charges, including attempted murder, home invasion, armed violence and attempted aggravated sexual assault, as well as two misdemeanor counts of battery and two counts of domestic battery.

The first three charges are considered Class X felonies, which carry six to 30 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for each offense if Esposito is convicted.

The sexual assault charge is a Class 1 felony carrying a possible four to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The four battery charges are Class A misdemeanors, each with a penalty of less than a year in county jail and a $2,500 fine.