OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Five charges have been filed against a 23-year-old for allegedly beating and sexually assaulting a woman last week in Oshkosh.
An investigation began back on September 14 when an Oshkosh police officer found broken glass from a picture frame and a rifle in the road near the corner of Oregon Street and 17th Avenue. A woman, police learned, had barricaded herself inside an apartment bedroom. She told officers she was badly beaten and sexually assaulted.
The victim told police she sometimes allows people to spend the night in her apartment if they’re too drunk to drive home from Witzke’s Bar, which is across the street. The 47-year-old woman said Timothy Cole was drunk the night before and felt sorry for him because he told her he was a military veteran. So she let Cole stay at her place.
While she was changing, she claimed that Cole tried to have sex with her. She said no, but he allegedly forced her down and sexually assaulted her.
She was able to get a bat from under her bed and started hitting Cole, but he grabbed the bat and told her he would stop if she let go. Cole allegedly then started beating her with the bat. She kicked Cole and ran to another bedroom, barricading the door with a dresser.
Eventually, after she believed Cole had left, she started throwing things out the window – including an unloaded rifle – to get attention.
The victim was taken to the hospital where she was treated for several broken bones, cuts and bleeding on her brain.
After speaking with the victim, police say they met with the owners of the bar and the bartender who was working. While watching surveillance video, the bartender recognized Cole as a friend of a friend. Police went to the bartender’s friend’s house, where they found Cole. He had blood on him; police also found a pair of the victim’s pants.
The victim identified Cole as her attacker using a photo lineup.
While being interviewed, police say Cole admitted being in the bar and having been drinking. He also asked if the victim was okay.
Cole has also been charged with another sexual assault. On August 21, a 58-year-old victim said she left Bottom’s Up bar, 702 Oregon Street, and as she was walking home a man grabbed her, put his hand over her mouth and claimed to have a knife. She said he allegedly dragged her to a gravel driveway, threw her down and sexually assaulted her.
According to prosecutors, there is DNA evidence tying Cole to that crime.
Cole is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, substantial battery, strangulation and suffocation, false imprisonment and two counts of second-degree sexual assault. If convicted, he could be sentenced to more than 155 years in prison.
