Man on parole for murder guilty of choking ex in Naperville

A 48-year-old Chicago man on parole for murder has been found guilty of two counts of aggravated domestic battery after choking his former girlfriend until she became unconscious in Naperville.

Michael Spivey, of the 9000 block of Rhodes Avenue, was on parole at the time of the attack after completing a sentence for first-degree murder in Cook County. Because of his criminal history, he is eligible for sentencing that carries a penalty of up to 30 years to be served at 85% in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

DuPage County Judge Brian Telander handed down the guilty verdict after a bench trial.

Authorities said Spivey repeatedly called his former girlfriend and then went to her Naperville house on March 24, 2018, and rang the doorbell several times. When she didn't respond, he took a tire iron from his car and approached her vehicle in the driveway.

At that point, the woman opened the door and Spivey forced his way in, saying he wanted to retrieve personal items.

He walked through the house and took several items before putting them down, putting his hands around the woman's neck and choking her until she passed out.

When another person inside the house heard the commotion, Spivey fled.

Naperville police arrested him, and he been in jail since April 12, 2018.

"Domestic violence claims hundreds of thousands of victims throughout the country each and every year," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "Thankfully, the other occupant of the home responded to the commotion causing Mr. Spivey to leave. This alone may have saved her life.

"What I find particularly egregious about this case is that the defendant was on parole for murder when he attacked his former girlfriend."

Spivey's next court appearance is scheduled for May 20.