An Illinois woman stabbed and killed her boyfriend on New Year’s Eve. Here’s how long she will spend behind bars.
They should have been in a celebrative mood. Instead, an Illinois woman stabbed her boyfriend to death on New year’s Eve.
She will now spend the next 15 New Year’s behind bars.
Christian County Judge Brad T. Paisley handed Michaela L. Herpstreith a 15-year maximum prison sentence for the stabbing of her boyfriend Jason R. Bright. Herpstreith pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after changing her initial plea of not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.
On Dec. 31, 2019, Taylorville police responded to the 1000 Block of East Adams Street after receiving a distress call. Upon arriving at the scene, Bright was found in a large blood pool, bleeding heavily from a single stab wound to his chest. The 40-year-old victim told the police officers who had attempted to initiate a first aid, it was Herpstreith who attacked him. At the time, the defendant had fled the scene.
Bright was later pronounced dead at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital.
Based on a tip, Herpstreith was spotted the next day at the Hillcrest Trailer Park. When stopped by law enforcement, the defendant surrendered without incident, reported The Taylorville Daily News.
- She claimed she was the victim of abuse when she stabbed her husband to death. A court said it was murder.
- Ohio Woman Says She Wasn’t In ‘Right State Of Mind’ When She Fatally Stabbed Elderly Neighbors During Robbery
- An Ohio Woman Asked Her Boyfriend to Get Milk for the Kids. Instead, He Grabbed a Knife and Killed Her.
A spring-loaded knife was also found on her, and the weapon’s blade and the handle had traces of blood on it. During interrogation, the defendant admitted she stabbed the victim.
According to Herald & Review, Herpstreith’s public defense lawyer intended on hiring a domestic violence expert to testify if the trial had proceeded. Nevertheless, prosecutors did not disclose why a plea deal with a reduced charge was agreed upon with the defendant.
Herpstreith had a criminal history, including a 2018 previous charge of criminal trespass. She had unlawfully gained entry into another residence and struck a female who lived there.
The 23-year-old defendant was credited with 605 days spent already at the Christian County jail pending her trial. Paisley also fined the defendant $1,000.
Become a Front Page Detective
Sign up to receive breaking
Front Page Detectives
news and exclusive investigations.