Illinois Man Abruptly Pleads Guilty in Woman's Attack

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois man abruptly admitted in the middle of his trial that he attacked a woman with a baseball bat. Freddie Ross pleaded guilty Tuesday in Madison County to one-count of attempted murder. He made the plea after hearing opening statements and the victim's testimony.

The 43-year-old East Alton man faces up to 35-years in prison. A sentencing date was not immediately set. Authorities have said Ross beat the woman with a bat, threatened her with a knife and said he would suffocate both of them with natural gas. Investigators say he bound the woman to a chair with duct tape and a telephone cord. She eventually managed to escape and call police.  full story