Gazette-Times

The third of three people involved in the kidnapping and assault of a Junction City man at a Monroe-area park last year was sentenced in Benton County Circuit Court on Friday.

William Harry Rush, 43, of Springfield, was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison on felony counts of kidnapping and assault for his actions in the April 5, 2002, incident, according to Benton County Deputy District Attorney Michael Wynhausen.

Brian Carlson, 19, also of Springfield and a suspect in the case, was dating a girl who told him she had been raped by the victim, now 23. William Rush, who knew of the accusation, and his wife, Carolyn, were later asked by the victim to take him to locations in Eugene, Junction City and Monroe so that he could do some errands. Rush then contacted Carlson and told him to wait at the park at a certain time the following day so they could attack the man, Wynhausen said.

The Rush couple brought the victim to the park, where he was assaulted by Carlson and William Rush. Rush used a stun gun against the victim and struck him with the end of a metal bar, Wynhausen said. The man suffered minor injuries and was eventually able to escape.

Carlson was earlier sentenced to three years in prison on felony counts of kidnapping, assault and unlawful use of a weapon. Carolyn Rush was also convicted on kidnapping and assault charges and given a five-year probation sentence.