A 44-year-old man accused of stabbing someone repeatedly during an altercation in Oak Lawn was ordered detained Monday by a Cook County judge.
Michael Duplessis Jr., of Chicago, was charged with attempted murder after a verbal dispute became physical near West 87th Street and South Ridgeland Avenue Saturday afternoon, according to charging documents and Oak Lawn police.
Witness statements and video surveillance showed the victim asking Duplessis, who police believe to be homeless, to leave the area, police said. Duplessis then allegedly spat on the man, escalating the conflict, and stabbed him multiple times.
The victim was brought to Christ Hospital in critical condition but is expected to recover, police say. Police say they found Duplessis, who fled the area, with a bloody knife in his possession.
The Cook County Public Defender’s office was appointed to represent Duplessis. Matthew Hendrickson, spokesman for the office, said the case is in the earliest stage.
“We would remind the public that statements made by police and prosecutors are only allegations and that cases can change significantly as they are investigated further,” Hendrickson said in an email.
Judge Linzey Jones ordered Duplessis detained, saying the stabbing of the victim’s legs, arm pit and neck “could have easily resulted in (the victim’s) death,” according to the pretrial detention order. Jones said Duplessis continued to threaten the victim when speaking with police and was discharged from parole in July.
Duplessis was convicted with aggravated battery in Bellwood earlier this year.