WHEATON, IL — An Aurora man has been found guilty in the 2023 murder of Dexter Perkins at a bar in unincorporated Wheaton. Michael Freund, 49, fatally shot Perkins following an argument about a pizza and bar tab at Rosie O'Reilly's.
Freund was charged with first degree murder and convicted by a jury after a three-day trial.
Police had been called to Rosie O'Reilly's, 0N131 Gary Ave., Wheaton, around 8:40 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2023, for a report of shots fired. They found Perkins dead at the scene.
According to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Freund came to the bar with two coworkers around 7:20 a.m. Prosecutors say Perkins, who did not know Freund and the men, shared a pizza with them and that a "dispute" began about the pizza and bar bill after a second pizza came.
Freund then went to his truck and got a Glock 9 mm handgun, according to prosecutors. The men later went out onto the bar's porch and a " brief scuffle between Perkins and one of the other men," a news release said.
During the "scuffle," Freund took the Glock out of his pocket and fired two shots into the air. Perkins went up to the other man, according to prosecutors, and Freund then fired nine shots at Perkins, hitting him in his face and torso.
Freund then put the gun back in his truck. He was taken into custody shortly after.
"Nearly three years ago, just days before Christmas, Dexter Perkins' life came to an abrupt, violent end when Michael Freund shot him nine times after a dispute over pizza and a bar tab," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.
Berlin added, "The senseless killing of an unarmed, innocent man has not only left two young girls fatherless but has also left a hole in the hearts of Dexter's family and friends that will remain with them throughout their lives. While today's guilty verdict cannot bring Dexter back to those who loved him, perhaps it will allow for some measure of solace knowing that the man responsible for Dexter's murder will be held accountable."
Freund will be in court on Nov. 9 for a pre-sentence report.
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