SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield man has been convicted of Attempt First Degree Murder, Home Invasion, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Aggravated Stalking after brutally attacking his ex-girlfriend following a period of stalking.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Clarence Hopson had stalked and spied on his ex-girlfriend between October 15, 2022, and November 12, 2022, during which he repeatedly threatened her life.
In the early hours of November 12, 2022, Hopson violently entered his ex-girlfriend’s home by breaking a glass door with a cinder block. Armed with a box cutter, he proceeded to inflict grave injuries by slashing her throat, chin, and wrist before fleeing the scene.
Luckily, the victim was able to call 911 for help, and upon arrival, the Springfield Police Department rushed her to the hospital for treatment. Subsequent forensic testing confirmed the presence of the victim’s blood on the blade of the box cutter and Hopson’s DNA on the handle.
After the attack, Hopson fled to various locations, including Chicago and Las Vegas, before being apprehended in Colorado and brought back to Illinois for trial. The jury unanimously found him guilty on all charges, with sentencing scheduled for October 3, where he faces a minimum of 14 years and a maximum of 95 years behind bars.