After deliberating for about an hour Tuesday, an Ogle County jury found an Orland Park man guilty of attempted 1st degree murder in connection with a stabbing which took place 3 years ago in Rochelle.
42-year old Jamil Saleh was also found guilty of 3 counts involving aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery and 1 count of armed violence.
The domestic altercation involved the wife of a current Rochelle police officer. Maha Bergeron is the former wife of Saleh.
The confrontation took place at Cooper Park in the Hub City on August 13th of 2009. Reports indicate that Saleh and Bergeron had a conversation prior to the stabbing. A butcher knife was used.
Bergeron was stabbed in the chest. She also received cuts to the face, hand, and leg.
Saleh did testify yesterday. He did not remember a lot of the exact details of the stabbing. He was apparently upset on the faith his 3 children would follow in the future.
Saleh's attorney, Public Defender Dennis RIley, said during the trial that the Orland Park man did not intend to kill his former wife.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 7th at 2pm in Oregon. Saleh faces a prison term of 10 to 30 years.
The jury trial lasted 2 days in front of Circuit Judge Michael Mallon.
