Pre-Trial Release Denied To Accused Wheaton Killer
A dispute – allegedly over pizza and a bar tab – led to a deadly shooting Friday morning.
The shooting happened before 8:45 a.m. just outside of Rosie O’Reilly’s Pub at 0N131 Gary Avenue in unincorporated Wheaton.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney says pre-trial release was denied to 49-year old Aurora resident, Michael Freund. It is alleged that Freund, Dexter Perkins, and two other men were involved in an altercation when Freund produced a 9 mm Glock handgun, fired at Perkins, shooting him in the face and torso. In total, 11 shots were fired.
It is alleged that none of the men involved in the altercation knew each other prior to the tragedy.
“Yesterday morning, Dexter Perkins lost his life allegedly over a dispute regarding pizza and a bar tab,” Berlin said. “For this senseless act of violence that resulted in the death of an innocent man, Mr. Freund now finds himself facing first degree murder charges. I offer my sincere condolences to Dexter’s family and friends and wish them strength as they are now forced to continue their lives without the love and friendship they enjoyed with Dexter. I thank DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and his team for their work on this sad case as well as DuPage MERIT for their efforts. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Diane Michalak, Helen Kapas and Anthony Raimondi, for their work in securing charges against Mr. Freund.”
“It’s horrible to see this type of violence occur during the holiday season,” Mendrick said. “I want to commend the deputies and State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their work to ensure that this person will be brought to justice for this crime”.
Freund’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 18, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
