50-year term for man who stabbed woman 53 times

BLOOMINGTON -- A McLean County judge has sentenced a 47-year-old man from Normal to 50 years in prison for stabbing his former girlfriend more than 50 times.

In handing down the sentence Thursday against Dennis McMillian, Circuit Court Judge Scott Drazewski rejected defense attorneys' arguments for leniency, which were based on McMillian's long history of alcohol abuse and mental health issues. Drazewski told McMillian that not everyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress or bipolar disorder becomes a killer.

McMillian had pleaded guilty one count of first-degree murder in the August 2008 slaying of 34-year-old Angel Neal.

He still faces a charge of aggravated battery for slashing Neal's 16-year-old son when the son tried to protect his mother.