Chicago woman charged with murder in boyfriend's death seeks case dismissal
Prosecutors decline to dismiss Chicago woman's first-degree murder charge
A Chicago woman accused of killing her boyfriend after their baby shower asked prosecutors on Tuesday to dismiss the case.
CHICAGO - Attorneys with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office were in court Tuesday asking prosecutors to drop the murder charges against a Chicago woman accused of killing her boyfriend after their baby shower.
Her lawyers argue she acted in self-defense and say she is a survivor of domestic violence.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office declined to dismiss the charges against Keshia Golden, 36, instead offering a plea deal to a lesser charge of second-degree murder.
The agreement would result in 24 months of probation and a felony conviction on her record.
What we know:
In October 2022, Golden fatally stabbed her then-boyfriend, Calvin Sidney, following a violent argument, according to prosecutors.
Golden's attorneys say she acted in self-defense to protect herself and their unborn baby.
"We are very disappointed today that the State's Attorney has not agreed to dismiss the charges on Keshia's case," said Julie Koehler, Golden's defense attorney. "We are asking that a woman whose only crime was to fight for her life and the life of her unborn child be dismissed."
While Tuesday's outcome was not the fresh start they had hoped for, Golden's attorneys say they will continue to fight for their client.
"She has done everything over the past three years that they have asked. She has done counseling, she has done classes, and she has reported every single day to pre-trial service. What more do they want from this woman?" Koehler added.
The backstory:
On October 22, 2022, Golden and Sidney hosted a baby shower ahead of the birth of their child. Golden was eight months pregnant at the time.
According to Golden’s attorneys, an argument that day turned violent when Sidney allegedly dragged Golden by her hair to the bedroom.
In the early morning hours of October 23, 2022, prosecutors say the couple was again arguing and Sidney "grabbed and pushed [Golden] down onto a counter."
According to court documents, family members separated them. Sidney went into their bedroom to lie down, and that's when prosecutors say Golden allegedly armed herself with a knife, went into their bedroom and stabbed Sidney in the leg, striking his femoral artery.
Sidney died from his injuries at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Keshia Golden was originally held on a $2 million bond, but that was later dropped to $50,000 by a judge who said it was in the "best interest of her unborn child."
Golden was ordered to pay $5,000 of the reduced bond.
Groups, including Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration and The Chicago Community Bond Fund, which post bonds on behalf of people who can’t afford to pay for it themselves, stepped in to provide the money so that Golden could be released from jail and wouldn’t have to give birth behind bars.
In early November 2022, bail was posted and she was released from jail.
Later that month, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Golden with two counts of first-degree murder.
Dig deeper:
The attorneys representing Golden argue she acted in self-defense, saying Golden had previously miscarried once after she was physically abused by Sidney.
According to police, more than 50 domestic violence calls had been made from the couple’s home. Five of those calls were made between June and September 2022, just months before the fatal stabbing.
In four of those calls, Golden claimed Sidney had choked, punched, slapped, or pushed her. Prosecutors said in one case, Sidney accused her of stabbing him in the neck. He was hospitalized, but never pressed charges.
Court records and police reports also indicate Golden took out an order of protection against Sidney in July 2022, after Sidney allegedly punched her in the face.
Advocates for survivors of domestic violence stood beside Golden at the courthouse Tuesday, dressed in purple — a color associated with domestic violence awareness.
"Women are six times more likely to be killed by an intimate partner than men. Yet homicide committed by men is 10 percent more likely to be ruled justifiable," said Holly Krig with Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration.
Prior to these charges, Golden did not have a criminal record.
What they're saying:
The Cook County State's Attorney's Office released the following statement to FOX Chicago on Tuesday:
"The case remains pending and continues through the judicial process. We are unable to further comment at this time."
What's next:
There is another status hearing scheduled in Golden's case on April 7 at 9 a.m.
The Source: The information in this story was obtained and reported by FOX Chicago's Se Kwon and Kasey Chronis.