California IN BRIEF : VENTURA : Beaten Woman’s Condition Is Critical

A severely beaten woman who was found in a Ventura street with a piece of wood protruding from her mouth was hospitalized in “very critical condition,” authorities said. The victim, who was partly nude when she was found on a street near downtown, “still has not regained consciousness,” said Ventura police Sgt. Bob Anderson. Investigators believe the woman had been beaten on the head and upper torso with a piece of wood similar to a 2-by-4, Anderson said. He said they do not know if the wood in her mouth was a splinter from the club used to assault her. Police said the victim’s name was not disclosed because “we’re treating it like a sexual assault.” He said some of the victim’s friends were being questioned.