Man convicted for attempting to kill ex-girlfriend in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A man has been convicted by a Sangamon County jury for attacking and stalking his ex-girlfriend in 2022.

Clarence Hopson was convicted on charges of Attempted First Degree Murder, Home Invasion, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Stalking this week according to court records.

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On November 12, 2022, Hopson used a cinder block to break a glass door to enter his ex-girlfriend’s residence. He then used a box cutter to slash her throat and chin and slash her wrist. After attacking, Hopson fled the house and the victim was able to call 911 to be taken to a hospital.

Police were able to recover the box cutter. State Police were able to match the victim’s blood on the box cutter’s blade and Hopson’s DNA on the handle of the tool.

The victim also testified Hopson was also stalking and surveilling his ex in the month leading up to the attack.

Additionally, the Springfield Police Department showed evidence from AT&T and Facebook that Hopson called his ex-girlfriend in the hours up to the attack 39 times, as well as sending countless texts and Facebook messages.

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After the attack, Hopson fled to Chicago, and then Las Vegas. He was apprehended in Colorado and extradited back to Central Illinois.

Hopson will be sentenced on October 3. He faces between 14 and 95 years in prison, and will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing.

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