Keshia Golden, who said she fatally stabbed her partner in self-defense after enduring years of domestic violence, has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and will avoid jail time under a 24-month probation sentence.
Golden accepted the plea deal Monday (August 24), the same day she was scheduled to face a bench trial on a first-degree murder charge, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
Golden was charged in the 2022 death of Calvin Sidney, the father of her child. She was eight months pregnant when Sidney was stabbed following the couple’s baby shower in October 2022.
Golden’s attorneys have maintained she acted in self-defense to protect herself and her unborn child.
Her attorneys have also pointed to a documented history of alleged domestic violence in the relationship. Golden obtained an order of protection against Sidney in July 2022 after alleging he punched her in the face. More than 50 domestic violence calls had also been made from the couple’s home, according to The 19th. Golden also obtained an order of protection against Sidney in July 2022 after alleging he punched her in the face.
Prosecutors and Golden’s attorneys offered different accounts of what happened the night Sidney was killed.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 32 Chicago, Golden and Sidney were arguing in the early morning hours of Oct. 23, 2022. Prosecutors said Sidney grabbed Golden and pushed her onto a counter before family members separated the two. Sidney then went into a bedroom to lie down.
Prosecutors said Golden followed him with a knife and stabbed him in the leg while he was lying in bed. The wound struck Sidney’s femoral artery, and he later died.
Golden’s attorneys offered a different account, saying Sidney repeatedly slammed Golden’s head against a countertop before she grabbed the knife and stabbed him in self-defense.
Golden, who had no prior criminal record, was initially held on a $2 million bond, which was later reduced to $50,000. Community groups helped cover the $5,000 required for her release, allowing her to leave jail before giving birth, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
Golden faced the possibility of at least 20 years in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. She had previously rejected a plea offer involving a second-degree murder charge before accepting the involuntary manslaughter deal.
Golden said she accepted the agreement because she wanted to stay home to raise her daughter.
“I do not want to hurt my child no more then what she already hurting,” Golden said after the hearing. “My child will not have a father, and I’m the only person that’s going to take care of her, so I feel like I did the right thing for my child.”
In a statement obtained by FOX 32 Chicago, her attorneys said, “Keshia has made the difficult decision to accept the prosecution’s offer to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and a sentence of probation in this case to ensure that she will be able to raise her daughter and see her grow up.”
They added that the outcome was “a rational decision, but it is not a just outcome.”
Although Golden will avoid incarceration, the plea leaves her with a felony conviction. She said the conviction could make it harder for her to find housing and employment for herself and her daughter.
Golden’s attorneys said they plan to ask Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for a pardon.
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