Charges Filed in Weekend Murder of Warrenville Teen

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Warrenville Police Chief Robert LaDeur announced today that Joshua Matthews, 19 (d.o.b. 2/28/85), whose last known address was in Hillside, has been charged with one (1) count of First Degree Murder in connection with the October 9th murder of 17 year old Sade Glover of Winchester Circle in Warrenville.  This afternoon, Judge Kathryn Creswell signed a complaint and no bond warrant.

It is alleged that on October 9th at about 9:00 p.m. the defendant tried contacting Sade by telephone at Walgreen’s in Warrenville where Sade worked.  After his unsuccessful attempt to contact her, it is alleged that the defendant traveled to Warrenville, armed with a loaded handgun.  It is further alleged that the defendant went to Sade’s home on foot after being dropped off and waited until Sade returned home in her car at about 10:30 p.m..  The defendant then approached Sade as she was about to exit her car and he allegedly shot her repeatedly, causing her death.  Sade’s body was discovered by her mother at about 2:00 a.m. when she went looking for her.  She immediately contacted the Warrenville Police Department.  A homicide investigation was begun, with the assistance of the DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.  This afternoon, First Degree Murder charges against Matthews were approved.

At the time of the shooting, the defendant was on bail for a July 2, 2004 battery.  He is accused in that case of punching Sade in the face during an argument in Sade’s garage.  The defendant was arrested on a warrant for that battery on September 26, 2004 by the Maywood Police and posted bond.

Sade’s parents, Barbara Hudson of Warrenville and Jessie Glover of University Park, expressed their sincere appreciation to all of the law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to solve this heinous murder of their daughter.  Sade had been working at Walgreen’s for the past two years, was attending the College of DuPage, and had a bright future ahead of her.

State’s Attorney Birkett, Chief LaDeur and Warrenville Mayor Vivian Lund expressed their deepest sympathy to Sade’s family and friends.  State’s Attorney Birkett and Chief LaDeur also praised everyone involved in solving this vicious, execution-style murder.  The Major Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Chief Roy Derby, the Warrenville Police, Assistants of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Bellwood and Maywood Police all provided outstanding cooperation.  The DuPage County Coroner’s Office and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Crime Lab also provided critical support.

“This is another example of the reasons why the Major Crimes Task Force was created,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “The importance of sufficient manpower and resources to solve major crimes cannot be underestimated.”

If convicted, Matthews faces a potential sentence of 20 years to life in the penitentiary, or possibly the death penalty.

Matthews will be transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton later today.  He is expected to appear in bond court early tomorrow morning.  Due to the nature of these charges, the State’s Attorney will ask that the defendant continue to be held without bond.  Following bond court, his case will be assigned to a courtroom and a date set for his next appearance. 

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.