Man headed to trial in rape, beating case

A Shepherd man accused of beating and raping his girlfriend is headed towards trial after waiving a hearing to examine the evidence compiled against him.

Damian Lee Gurski, 32, was scheduled for his preliminary exam last Thursday but waived it Wednesday, according to online court records.

Gurski is accused of punching the woman, strangling her to the point of unconsciousness and then raping her as he cleaned her body on July 19, according to previous reporting about the case. She also told police that he refused to get her a phone when she wanted to call for help and that previously he’d prevented her from leaving.

State troopers battered down the door to the home the two were living in after no one answered. Gurski’s grandmother, who also lived there, told police that he told her to not answer the door. Police arrested Gurski without incident at the scene.

During a search of the home, troopers reported finding traces of the assault, including blood spatters and the woman’s phone still plugged in. They also reported that she had serious injuries and in discussing the two-year history of their relationship exhibited symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome.

The woman told police she was making secret plans to leave Gurski and staged supplies — including new bank cards and clothing — at the home of an ex-boyfriend.

Gurski was charged July 25 with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which could carry a life sentence; unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony; assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation; a 10-year

felony; interfering with electronic communications, a two-year felony; and domestic violence, a 93-day misdemeanor.

The next step is a formal charging of Gurski in circuit court, which handles the most serious crimes. A trial date has yet to be set.