Zion man facing 40 years in prison after admitting to killing girlfriend

A Zion man faces 20 to 40 years in prison after admitting Thursday he stabbed his girlfriend to death in a drug and alcohol-fueled rage.

Trent Lee, 45, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge George Bridges.

Assistant State's Attorney Matthew DeMartini said Lee stabbed Nichelle McNeal, 43, also of Zion, multiple times during an argument in the early morning hours of Oct. 14, 2010.

Police said Lee and McNeal were at a friend's apartment in the 2900 block of Elim Avenue in Zion and began to argue after using alcohol and illegal drugs.

The argument turned physical, and Lee took a knife from the kitchen of the apartment and began to stab McNeal in the neck, shoulder and chest.

The first knife Lee grabbed broke during the attack, police said, but Lee took a second knife and continued to attack McNeal.

Lee ran from the apartment when he learned someone had called police, but was captured nearby after a short foot chase.

First-degree murder normally carries up to 60 years in prison as a maximum penalty, but DeMartini agreed to limit Lee's exposure to 40 years in exchange for the guilty plea.

Bridges set a sentencing hearing for April 11 and ordered Lee to continue to be held on $3 million bond until that date.