COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man was charged with murder after he stabbed his ex-girlfriend's new lover to death in Humboldt Park on Wednesday with her own kitchen knife, prosecutors said.
Oliver Spann, 27, was charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing of Elvis Canfield, 51.
Leading up to the stabbing, the two men had physical fights because Spann was upset that his ex started dating Canfield, Assistant State's Attorney Joe Crocker said at a bond hearing Sunday.
Spann, who has two children with his ex, continued to live with her even after their June breakup, according to Crocker.
Just after midnight on Wednesday, Spann started lurking near his ex, Canfield and a witness, who were outside talking, Crocker said. Canfield had been hanging out with friends and family that night in the 1100 block of North Springfield Avenue, family said last week.
Spann then asked the group for a cigarette, but nobody would give him one, Crocker said, so Spann walked away. After Spann left, Canfield started heading home, Crocker said.
Within minutes, his ex and a witness saw Spann ride past them on a bike and in the direction of Canfield's home in the 1100 block of North Pulaski Road, according to Crocker and police.
Spann caught up to Canfield, got off his bike and started attacking Canfield, Crocker said. Spann flipped Canfield onto the ground, stood over him and stabbed him in his chest and upper back with a knife, Crocker said.
The ex was eventually able to push Spann off Canfield, and she recognized the weapon Spann was holding as a kitchen knife from the knife block in her home, Crocker said.
The stabbing happened about 12:20 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Division Street, authorities said. Canfield was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:04 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Spann fled the area on the bike, which was found about five blocks away from the scene, Crocker said. Cops arrested Spann on Friday, according to police documents.
Family remembered the 51-year-old grandfather as an "outspoken" family man with a passion for cooking.
Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered Spann, of the 700 block of North Trumball Avenue, held on a $1 million bail.
