Dupage Policy Journal

A former resident of Downers Grove, Kevin James, has been sentenced to twenty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty but mentally ill to the murder of his mother. The announcement was made by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. James, 30, appeared in court where he entered his plea before Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, who accepted the agreed sentence.

The incident occurred on January 9, 2018. At approximately 1:38 p.m., the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stabbing at a residence on the 2100 block of 63rd Street in unincorporated Downers Grove. Upon arrival, deputies found James with blood on his body and clothing. Inside the home, they discovered Patricia James face down and unconscious with multiple stab wounds. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Authorities revealed that Kevin James initially choked his mother before stabbing her several times with a kitchen knife. He was taken into custody shortly after the incident and has remained in jail since bond was set at $3 million.

“Yesterday afternoon, Kevin James was sentenced to twenty years behind bars for the stabbing death of his mother,” said Berlin. “This tragic case has deeply affected the James family and with Mr. James’ plea of guilty but mentally ill and the agreed twenty-year-sentence, it is my sincerest hope that the family will be afforded some measure of closure.”

Berlin expressed gratitude towards Assistant State’s Attorneys Helen Kapas, Alyssa Rabulinski, Katharine Walker, and Kelsey Kerr for their efforts in securing justice for Patricia James.