Pregnant Chicago woman claims self-defense in fatal stabbing of abusive boyfriend

Prosecutors offered a plea deal, but the woman's lawyer says she should not face charges for protecting herself and her unborn child.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:51pm

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An extreme close-up of a bloody knife against a stark black background, conceptually representing the violent confrontation that led to a tragic loss of life.A violent altercation between a pregnant woman and her abusive partner exposes the tragic consequences when domestic violence escalates.Chicago Today

A pregnant Chicago woman named Keshia Golden is facing first-degree murder charges for fatally stabbing her abusive boyfriend, Calvin Sidney, after he allegedly attacked her following a baby shower. Golden's lawyer says she acted in self-defense to protect herself and her unborn child from Sidney's violent assault, and is calling for the charges to be dropped.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges domestic violence victims face when trying to defend themselves, and the need for more support and intervention for women in abusive relationships before tragedies occur.

The details

According to Golden's lawyer, Sidney hit Golden, grabbed her hair, slammed her head on a counter, and the fight continued into another room. Golden then grabbed a knife and stabbed Sidney in the leg, striking his femoral artery. Prosecutors say the two were arguing over using a microwave before the stabbing, and Golden allegedly knocked food out of Sidney's hands before he pushed her. Golden is accused of going to a bedroom with the knife, which Sidney then walked into, leading to the fatal stabbing.

  • The incident occurred in 2022, after Golden's baby shower.
  • Golden has been in pretrial custody for 3 years since the incident.

The players

Keshia Golden

A pregnant Chicago woman who is facing first-degree murder charges for fatally stabbing her abusive boyfriend in what she claims was self-defense to protect herself and her unborn child.

Calvin Sidney

The father of Golden's unborn child, who was allegedly abusive towards Golden and was killed by her during a violent altercation.

Julie Koehler

Golden's attorney, who is calling for the charges against her to be dropped.

Eileen O'Neill Burke

The Cook County state's attorney, who prosecutors say offered Golden a plea deal that she rejected.

Sierra Bartlett

An attorney with the Cook County Public Defender's Office, who is supporting Golden.

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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, 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

“He choked her while she was 18 weeks pregnant. So there's lots of documentation, and I wish there had been more intervention at those earlier stages.”

— Sierra Bartlett, Attorney, Cook County Public Defender's Office

What’s next

Golden's trial is expected to start over the summer.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges domestic violence victims face when trying to defend themselves, and the need for more support and intervention for women in abusive relationships before tragedies occur.