A father and son who plotted the killing of the elder man’s girlfriend in 2011 have been found guilty of her murder.
On May 15, 2014, 42-year-old Devin Bickham Sr. and 23-year-old Devin Bickham Jr. were convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Chervon Alexander. She was fatally shot while sitting in a car in River Forest on July 11, 2011.
The elder Bickham, a former North Chicago police officer, was involved in a romantic relationship with Alexander, who began pressuring him to leave his estranged wife and marry her, prosecutors said. To avoid being found out, he devised a plan to have his son and Taylor carry out the murder.
On the night of July 11, 2011, Bickham Sr. drove Alexander to Dominican Priory Park in River Forest and parked the vehicle, prosecutors said. About 10:20 p.m., Taylor arrived and fired several shots into the passenger side of the car, striking Alexander in the head, chest and shoulder.
Taylor drove off after the shooting in a silver Chevrolet Impala with Bickham Jr. as the getaway driver, prosecutors said.
Police said the elder Bickham was the first person to call 911, reportedly to cover his involvement.
Both Taylor and Bickham Jr. were arrested by Forest Park police within a mile of the crime scene. Prosecutors said at the time that after they were stopped, Taylor said, “I want the rest of my money now.”
A .38 caliber handgun was found in the Impala and several witnesses identified the car as being at the crime scene, prosecutors said.
The North Chicago Police Department said the older Bickham worked for the department more than a decade ago and only for a short time.
Circuit Court Judge Noreen Valeria Love characterized ex-cop Devin Bickham Sr. as being, “a monster… not a human being.” She sentenced Bickham Thursday to 95 years on August 7, 2021.
Bickham got 80 years for the murder and an additional 15 years for a fire arm being used. He will be required to serve 100 percent of the sentence.
On July 16, 2014, the trial judge, Noreen Valeria Love sentenced Bickham’s son, Devin Bickham Jr, 23, to 50 years. He’s currently in reception at Stateville, and will also serve the full sentence without parole, less three years and five days of time served in Cook County Jail awaiting trial.
Tell us your thoughts...