Rape Victim Calls Sheraden Slaying Suspect 'Monster'

Allegheny County prosecutors vehemently opposed parole for a convicted sex offender now accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl and then killing her.

Prosecutors this week released letters sent to the state parole board opposing the release of Tushon Brown, 35.

In 2002, Brown pleaded guilty to charges including rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse for attacks on two fellow culinary arts students. A deputy prosecutor wrote two letters to the parole board in 2008 urging them to keep Brown behind bars, but he was released in August.

Brown is charged with having sex with Lauren Deis and then killing her and dumping her body outside Langley High School in Sheraden. Her body was found July 6.

A preliminary hearing for Brown is set for July 30.

A 28-year-old woman sexually assaulted at knifepoint by Brown 10 years ago talked with Channel 11’s Amy Marcinkiewicz.

“He's a monster, absolute monster and he makes me sick,” said Monaca Cunningham.

Cunningham said she learned Tuesday that Brown was paroled in August -- nearly halfway through a sentence for rape -- and is accused of raping and sexually mutilating Deis, of East Liberty.

Channel 11 doesn’t normally identify sexual assault victims, but Cunningham agreed to tell her story.

“I feel at this point, it’s not about me it’s about her, it’s about Lauren,” said Cunningham. “Unfortunately she doesn't have a voice anymore, so if my story helps in any way then that's what I want.”

The assault "messed me up so bad in the head," Cunningham said, that she dropped out of school and returned home to Ohio.

Cunningham said she believes that, given the opportunity, Brown might have killed her. She wonders whether Deis would be alive if she had been able to petition the parole board.

"I would have explained to them he doesn't belong on the streets. It's very disturbing to me to know I could have possibly prevented this,” Cunningham said.

Previous Stories: July 20, 2010: Suspect In Sheraden Girl's Slaying Held Without Bond July 16, 2010: Police: Sex Offender Admits To Killing 14-Year-Old Girl July 15, 2010: Body Found Near Sheraden School Was Missing Girl, 14

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