Supporters Call for Charges to Be Dropped Against Chicago Woman Accused of Killing Boyfriend

Keshia Golden claims she fatally stabbed her boyfriend in self-defense to protect herself and her unborn child.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bloodied kitchen knife against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the violence and tragedy of this domestic dispute case.A violent domestic dispute leads to a tragic loss of life, sparking calls for justice and reform.Chicago Today

Supporters of a West Side Chicago mother, Keshia Golden, are demanding that Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke drop all murder charges against Golden. Golden, who was 8 months pregnant at the time, claims she fatally stabbed her boyfriend Calvin Sidney in self-defense after he attacked her during her baby shower.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding domestic violence, self-defense, and the challenges women face in protecting themselves and their children. Golden's supporters argue that she should not be criminalized for defending herself and her unborn child against an abusive partner, and that the justice system failed to intervene earlier despite multiple prior domestic violence reports.

The details

According to Golden's attorney Julie Koehler, in October 2023, Golden was pregnant with her first child when her boyfriend Calvin Sidney allegedly attacked her during her baby shower. Koehler says Sidney "hit her, grabbed her hair, slammed her head down on a kitchen counter, and the fight was then dragged into another room." Fearing for her life and that of her unborn child, Golden grabbed a knife and stabbed Sidney in the leg, striking his femoral artery. Sidney was taken to the hospital where he later died. Golden was charged with murder.

  • In October 2023, the alleged attack by Calvin Sidney on Keshia Golden occurred during her baby shower.
  • Golden was 8 months pregnant at the time of the incident.

The players

Keshia Golden

A West Side Chicago mother who was 8 months pregnant when she fatally stabbed her boyfriend Calvin Sidney, claiming it was in self-defense to protect herself and her unborn child.

Calvin Sidney

Keshia Golden's boyfriend who she claims attacked her during her baby shower, leading her to fatally stab him in self-defense.

Julie Koehler

Keshia Golden's attorney who is arguing that the charges against her should be dropped.

Eileen O'Neill Burke

The Cook County State's Attorney who is prosecuting the case against Keshia Golden.

Dyanna Winchester

A representative from the Women's Justice Institute who is supporting Keshia Golden and calling for the charges to be dropped.

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What they’re saying

“She reached for a knife to protect herself from her abuser, who was trying to kill her and her unborn child.”

— Julie Koehler, Keshia Golden's attorney

“Justice is not ignoring a woman cries for help until it's too late and then condemning her for surviving.”

— Dyanna Winchester, with the Women's Justice Institute

“It's a scary message to send the women of Cook County, that if you defend yourself in an abusive relationship, that you could face for supreme order charges.”

— Sierra Bartlett, with the Cook County Public Defender's Office

What’s next

Golden will be in court at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, where her attorney expects the trial to start sometime this summer if the charges are not dropped.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges women face in protecting themselves and their children from domestic violence, and the need for the justice system to better intervene and support victims before it's too late. Golden's supporters argue that she should not be criminalized for defending herself and her unborn child against an abusive partner.