Saturday, June 21, 2014

Dad convicted in fatal stabbing of 3-year-old son, sexual assault of boy's mother (Cook County, Illinois)

 Dad is identified as GREGORY D. SANDIFER.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/homewood-man-convicted-of-fatally-stabbing-3-year-old-son/119542/

Homewood man convicted of fatally stabbing 3-year-old son

Sun-Times Media Wire Tuesday, June 17, 2014

HOMEWOOD, Ill. -- A south suburban man was convicted Tuesday of fatally stabbing his 3-year-old son and sexually assaulting the child's mother during a violent domestic attack in the West Side Austin neighborhood in 2011.

Gregory D. Sandifer, 27, of Homewood was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated domestic battery and aggravated unlawful restraint after a bench trial before Judge Clayton Crane, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

Sandifer and his girlfriend were arguing at her apartment on the 5000 block of West Division during the morning hours of Sept. 2, 2011, according to a statement from prosecutors. When the woman said she wanted to leave, Sandifer grabbed a kitchen knife and forced her into a bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her while holding the weapon.

After the assault, Sandifer stabbed the woman four times and a struggle ensued, according to prosecutors. She was able to wrestle the knife away from him and throw it out the second-floor window, but then he pushed her out of the window.

The woman was able to flag down a passing Chicago Police officer, according to prosecutors. However, before authorities arrived, Sandifer found a second knife and stabbed the 3-year-old boy multiple times.

Jaivon Sandifer was pronounced dead at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. An autopsy determined he died of multiple stab and incise wounds, and the death was ruled a homicide.

The woman was taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment of stab wounds and for injuries suffered from falling out the window and being sexually assaulted.

Sandifer tried to get away, but officers found him hiding in a nearby garage and took him into custody.

Sandifer, of the 900 block of Bowling Green Drive in Homewood, faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in July.