Chicago Man is Accused of Stabbing his Parents to Death

The majority of homicides in Illinois occur between people who know each other.  Often there appears to be no obvious motive and they shock communities.

Last month, a man was charged with the fatal stabbing of his elderly parents in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago, reported CBS Chicago.

Chicago police said 47-year-old Dexter Barnes, faces two felony counts of first-degree murder. Police said the victims were his elderly parents.

The crime was discovered when one of the couple’s three sons returned to the home in North LeClaire. Police said he found his parents 69-year-old Shirley Ervin and 67-year-old Johnnie Ervin dead with multiple stab wounds.

Subsequent autopsies revealed both of them died of multiple sharp force injuries and their deaths were ruled as homicides.

Barnes reportedly returned to the home and was later identified as the alleged attacker, police said. He lives on the same block as the victims.

Additional details on the crime emerged at a bond hearing for Barnes.

Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr denied him bail, according to reports. The judge said:

“These unimaginable facts speak for themselves.”

A report revealed Shirley Ervin previously obtained a protection order against her son.

However, it expired in November. Barnes was said to be living with his parents when he allegedly killed them.

Prosecutors said Barnes is on probation for an aggravated battery case in 2015. He was convicted of attacking a nurse who was treating him for an allergic reaction to a bee sting, prosecutors said. From November 2014 to late last year, Barnes’ mother took out an order of protection against him for a domestic-battery case.

His public defender said Barnes suffers from a medical condition and has seizures.

Domestic violence against family members is a major problem in Illinois and the issue is hampered by a state budget crisis, we noted in our blog.

At Abdallah Law, we defend people who are charged with serious crimes like murder. Read about our case results here or call us at (312) 229-0008.