Boyfriend charged in Zion woman's stabbing death
A Zion man was ordered held on $3 million bond Friday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder for stabbing his girlfriend to death during an argument at a reputed drug house, police said.
Trent Lee, 43, of the 27000 block of Ninth Avenue, was arrested by police early Thursday about a block away from the fatal stabbing of Nichelle McNeal, 43, Zion Police Chief Wayne Brooks said.
Lee and McNeal were at a friend's apartment in the 2900 block of Elim Avenue in Zion, using alcohol and illegal drugs when the two began to argue, Brooks said. It escalated to a physical altercation and Lee admitted to police that he grabbed a knife and stabbed McNeal multiple times, Brooks said.
Lee also told detectives that “once he grabbed a knife, he knew she was going to die, Brooks said.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Steve Scheller said Lee broke the first knife during the stabbing, but grabbed a second knife and continued the attack.
Brooks said both murder weapons a steak knife and a kitchen knife with a 10- to 12-inch blade were recovered at the scene.
Scheller told Associate Judge Raymond Collins during a bond court hearing in Waukegan that McNeal was stabbed six to seven times in the neck, shoulder and chest.
“The defendant told officers he went into a fit of rage and, once he started killing her, he just couldn't stop, he said.
The victim screamed for someone to call 911 before collapsing in a bathroom in the apartment, Scheller said.
Brooks said police received the call at 3:09 a.m. Thursday, and saw Lee in the immediate area. He was captured following a short chase that ended with officers using a Taser, Brooks said.
Scheller said in court that Lee had blood on his hands and clothing when he was arrested, and he admitted the blood came from McNeal.
The apartment where the stabbing took place is a known drug house, and that Zion police served a search warrant there Oct. 9, police said. It led to one arrest for intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Lee told Collins he has been unemployed since 1991, and Collins appointed the Lake County public defender's office to represent him.
Lee has an extensive criminal history that includes 39 prior arrests and 19 convictions, Brooks said. He added Lee was on parole at the time of the stabbing.
Court records show Lee was convicted of burglary in 1984 and 2007; drug possession in 1987 and 1991; theft in 1988, 1992 and 2005; and aggravated battery in 1998 and 2003.
Collins ordered Lee to appear in court Nov. 10.
Scheller said Lee faces a sentence of 20 to 60 years if convicted of first-degree murder.