Addison man gets 12 years for stabbing gas station clerk

An Addison man was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison for repeatedly stabbing a gas station clerk who refused to hand over a bank deposit.

Prosecutors said Matthew Outlaw, 21, jumped out from behind a garbage bin and knifed the victim five times on Jan. 23 at Phillips 66, 2100 W. Army Trail Road, Addison.

Outlaw was sentenced by DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin, who called the stabbing an “unprovoked, vicious attack” on a “virtually defenseless” man.

“The defendant chose to stab the victim five different times in addition to punching and kicking him,” Guerin said. “This was not some random, opportunistic act.”

The 48-year-old victim testified he was leaving the business with a bank deposit shortly after 7 a.m. when a man wearing a mask emerged and demanded, “Give me what you got.”

When the victim tried to run, Outlaw pummeled him to the ground and stabbed him three times in the back and once each in the arm and abdomen, prosecutors said.

“I remember lying on the ground with the man showing a knife,” the victim said. “He threatened me when I cursed at him and told him he wouldn’t get anything from me.”

The victim recovered after surgery for injuries to his intestines and diaphragm. He said doctors told him wearing multiple layers of clothing that day might have saved his life.

“I was lucky,” he said.

Addison police arrested Outlaw after searching a subdivision just north of the gas station. He then led them to some bushes where he’d hidden a red Spider-Man ski mask, a folding knife and two pairs of gloves worn during the attack. He also gave a detailed confession.

Outlaw apologized while reading from a letter to the victim Wednesday, offering to meet after his release from prison.

“I understand what I did was wrong,” he said. “All I can do is apologize and hope you will forgive me.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Ken Tatarelis said the case remains under investigation, with police looking into a series of phone calls and text messages between Outlaw and his then-girlfriend just before the robbery. Police testified that the girlfriend, who was pregnant with Outlaw’s child at the time, was working as a clerk at the gas station on the day of the attack. She has not been charged.

A reputed gang member, Outlaw pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery in July. By law, he must serve at least six years before he’s eligible for parole.