CHICAGO () — A Chicago woman who had been facing a murder charge in the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend resolved the case Monday by accepting a plea agreement.
Keshia Golden entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter, a lesser charge in the case.
As part of the plea deal, Golden was given a sentence of 24 months of probation.
Earlier Monday, supporters gathered outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, staging a protest as the case moved forward.
Golden had originally been charged with murder after authorities said she stabbed her boyfriend, Calvin Sydney, during an incident tied to domestic violence in 2022.
At the time of the stabbing, Golden was eight months pregnant.
Her trial had been set to begin Monday before the plea agreement was reached.
During the courthouse rally, the Women’s Justice Institute and members of Golden’s defense team said she was a domestic violence survivor who acted to protect herself and her unborn baby.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement, “The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office recognizes the complexities of domestic violence and the importance of thoughtfully reviewing the full circumstances surrounding each case. At the same time, the CCSAO is charged with and committed to seeking justice for victims and their families. After a careful review of the evidence and applicable law, prosecutors previously offered to resolve this case in March with a plea that the defendant rejected. Today’s resolution reflects our commitment to making fair evidence-based decisions that consider the full circumstances of each case and serve the interests of justice.”
You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information.
