A 63-year-old man from Naperville, Illinois, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of his estranged wife.
The sentencing by Will County Circuit Judge John Connor on Thursday, December 21, 2023, follows Patrick O’Brien’s conviction for attempted first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery.
On December 21, 2019, Naperville Police Department responded to a call in the 2200 block of Popple Court, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. O’Brien, who had been separated from his wife at the time, returned to their shared home around 8:30 p.m. to retrieve personal items.
Upon arrival, O’Brien, in a fit of rage, grabbed a large kitchen knife and confronted his wife in the kitchen. The situation quickly escalated as O’Brien, uttering the chilling words “If we’re done, then we’re done,” chasing his wife with the knife.
The terrified victim fled the house, screaming for help at the rear patio door of a neighbor’s home. O’Brien, chasing her, exclaimed, “You’re faster than I thought,” before violently pushing her against the rear wall of the neighbor’s house.
In a desperate attempt to protect herself, the victim raised her arms, only to have O’Brien thrust the knife into her chest and arm, while hurling an expletive at her.
The attack was halted when a neighbor intervened, opening his door just in time to knock O’Brien down, thereby preventing further harm. O’Brien, however, continued his rampage by pulling his wife down with him and then proceeded to stab himself before discarding the knife.
The entire ordeal was captured on the neighbor’s home surveillance system, providing graphic evidence of the attack. This footage played a crucial role in the trial and subsequent conviction.
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow commented on the case, highlighting the brutal nature of the attack. He noted that this case exemplifies the extreme dangers domestic violence survivors face, especially when attempting to leave an abusive relationship. Glasgow emphasized that domestic violence homicides often occur when the victim has left the relationship, underlining the control and power dynamics at play in such situations.
O’Brien will receive a 38-day credit for time served. He is required to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole, amounting to a minimum of 8 and a half years in prison. Following his release, he will be subject to a mandatory three-year period of supervised release.
