Father and Son Sentenced in 2011 Murder
A father and son who conspired and carried out a plan to shoot and kill a Chicago woman over a romantic relationship have been sentenced to prison for a combined total of 145 years, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Devin Bickham Sr., 42, was sentenced late yesterday to 95 years in prison while his son, Devin Bickham Jr., 23, was sentenced to 50 years last month. The two were previously convicted in separate jury trials for the murder of Chervon Alexander, 29, who was shot and killed while she sat in a car at a park in west suburban River Forest. A third defendant, Cardell Taylor, 38, was also charged in the case and is currently awaiting trial.
According to prosecutors, the victim and Bickham Sr. were involved in a dating relationship and had planned to get married. However, Bickham Sr. was already married to another woman. To avoid being found out, Bickham Sr. devised a plan to have his son and Taylor carry out the murder.
According to prosecutors, on the night of July 11, 2011 Bickham Sr. drove the victim to the Dominican Priory Park in River Forest in his 2005 Buick and they parked their vehicle. At approximately 10:20 p.m., Taylor arrived at the scene armed with a handgun and fired several shots into the passenger side of the car, striking the victim multiple times. Taylor then fled the scene in a vehicle in which Bickham Jr. served as the getaway driver.
Both men were arrested by responding Forest Park Police Officers within one mile of the crime scene. A search of the vehicle revealed a .38-caliber handgun and several witnesses were able to place the car at the scene of the crime.
Through extensive interviews and an examination of the defendant’s cell phone records police discovered that Devin Bickham Sr. had planned and arranged the murder and all three men were charged in connection with the plot.
State’s Attorney Alvarez thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys James McKay, Russell Baker, and Thor Martin as well as the Forest Park and River Forest police departments for their work on the case.
