Repeated Violent Offender Arrested Again
In September, it was reported that a violent repeat offender had attacked a mother of 11 in Chicago, rendering her unconscious in broad daylight.
The victim, Kathleen Miles, a 56-year-old, was on her way to the train with a co-worker on August 19, when suddenly, she was struck. She recalled, “This man is strong, scary, and knows what he’s doing.” The force of the attack knocked her out, broke several bones in her face, and resulted in a concussion.
Authorities identified the assailant as 32-year-old William Livingston, who faces charges for aggravated assault in two counts—one for assault in a public place and the other for causing great bodily harm—as well as a misdemeanor charge for reckless behavior.
A video report reveals the seriousness of Miles’ injuries and shows surveillance footage of the incident.
Livingston was arrested on the same day as the attack on Miles, and remained in custody without bail following his charge on August 21, according to jail records. He has been labeled a “serial puncher” and has reportedly been arrested over 20 times since 2012, often being let out shortly after.
Now, just this past Wednesday, Livingston was arrested again—this time while in custody at Cook County Jail. Police, alongside a specialized task force, charged him for allegedly assaulting two more women earlier in June.
One of those victims, Ann Kruse, recognized Livingston as her attacker, stating, “He was close enough to punch me and then just walked away.” She expressed ongoing anxiety about the situation, recalling how scared she felt during the assault.
Kruse sustained injuries from the attack, including a concussion. She remarked, “It could have been much worse. This guy is truly dangerous.” The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is now passing the evidence to a grand jury for further proceedings.
Diving deeper into Livingston’s criminal history, records reveal he has faced numerous charges since 2012, specifically for violent acts against women and even law enforcement. One question remains unsettling: what does it take for someone like him to face real consequences?
During the incident involving Miles, records showed at least 13 mugshots of Livingston since 2012, primarily for aggravated assault and battery. Miles questioned, “What’s enough? Who bears the responsibility for this?”
Livingston’s violent timeline includes various assaults, a five-year prison sentence for attempting to rob four women in 2022, and other charges for random violent attacks. In one such incident in February 2022, he attacked multiple women in a short span.
Cami Breschmidt, a student who was also targeted by Livingston, shared her terrifying experience, stating, “He punched me directly in the face. It felt like a scene from a nightmare.” Miles expressed regret that if authorities had held Livingston accountable before, she might not be suffering now.
Following the latest arrest, Miles shared her hopes that, maybe this time, he would be deterred from attacking others. But the lingering fear of her own experience still haunts her as she continues to grapple with her trauma.
