Prosecutors Secure 35-Year Sentence in 2012 Stabbing Death

A Chicago man convicted of the 2012 stabbing death of his neighbor was sentenced to 35 years in prison, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Demetrius Jackson, 33, was convicted of the murder of his neighbor, William Terry, 55, who attempted to intervene in a fight between Jackson and his wife.

According to prosecutors, on Nov. 21, 2012, Jackson and his wife were at home in the 10300 block of Forest Ave. when they got into a heated argument.  As the argument continued, Jackson threatened to kill his wife and went into the kitchen to retrieve two knives.  Jackson’s wife left the home and went a few doors down and asked to use Terry’s phone to call police.  After calling police, Terry walked Jackson’s wife back to their home.  Jackson came out, confronted the two and started arguing with Terry, telling him to mind his own business.  Jackson went back into the house and when he returned, had the two knives.  Terry stepped between Jackson and his wife and attempted to calm Jackson down.  Jackson began swinging the knives at Terry, backing him into the street, where he fell.  Jackson fell onto of Terry and stabbed him multiple times.  Terry was able to get up and stagger back to his house, where he fell onto the porch and subsequently died.  Jackson fled the scene and turned himself in to Chicago Police a few days later.

Jackson was sentenced by Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan, who found Jackson guilty on June 16 after a bench trial.

State’s Attorney Alvarez thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Bonnie Greenstein and the Chicago Police Department for their work in this case.