Man Charged with Torturing Woman in Garage

Queens DA Richard Brown announced that Joseph Burrell of Jamaica, Queens has been arrested and arraigned for a particularly vicious attack. Apparently, Burrell lured an acquaintance to his home for a barbecue then assaulted her for hours in his garage.

Burrell allegedly invited the woman to his home last Wednesday evening and took her into the garage, which had been converted into a furnished room. The Queens DA's statement (PDF) explains that he allegedly threatened to rape and kill her, hitting her as she refused his sexual advances, and allegedly attempted to rape her during the struggle. The next morning, Burrell's brother discovered the pair in the garage, with blood on the floor, rug, walls and other furniture. Burrell fled, but another relative called 911. The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Burrell was apprehended last Friday and arraigned on charges of predatory sexual act, first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree attempted rape and second- and third-degree assault and is being held on $100,000 bail. Queens DA Brown says that he is working to make sure the "community is protected from such suspected dangerous sexual predators."