Who is Alexis Stallman? Illinois mother pleads guilty to fatally stabbing ex-husband hours after custody hearing
JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS: Alexis Stallman, who fatally stabbed her ex-husband, hours after custody hearing of their child, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder charge.
The incident occurred hours after the two appeared in court over a child custody hearing. The victim, Edward Stallman, was a government employee who worked in the state’s Department of Transportation.
What does open Alford plea mean?
On Monday, Alexis entered an open Alford plea to one count of first-degree murder that took place in 2022.
As per Law and Crime, in Alford plea, “a defendant maintains their innocence but concedes that the state has enough evidence to convict them at trial.”
“An open plea means the defendant does not have any agreement with prosecutors regarding the punishment they will recommend.”
In this case, Stallman's sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 2024.
Alexis, after entering the plea, had two other charges dropped by prosecutors which included murder and domestic battery.
Several witnesses claim a woman and Edward was seen arguing before the attack
On July 20, 2022, deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a crash at an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) around 11 am.
It is located at the intersection of Highway 127 and Ava Road in Murphysboro.
“Originally, we thought that Mr Stallman’s injuries were related to the traffic crash,” Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez reportedly told KFVS-TV.
“We found later through investigation that there was a serious altercation prior to that crash. And so there was some confusion about whether this was something that happened in the vehicle or this happened between two individuals at his job sight which was located here in Jackson county,” Cervantez reportedly told the outlet.
“Eventually, we had probable cause to believe that this was a homicide. And eventually on July 21, the day after, we were able to file charges against Mrs Stallman for first degree murder and aggravated domestic battery,” Cervantez added.
During the investigation, witnesses claimed that a woman came to the IDOT work site at around 10.50 am. The woman and Edward Stallman reportedly got into a verbal and physical altercation.
Alexis Stallman’s car was found at the scene and investigators discovered the weapon used, a knife with blood on it inside her purse inside the car.
The DNA report further confirmed that it was of Edward Stallman. She is likely to serve a life sentence when she appears in court on January 17, 2024.
