A Carpentersville woman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder today for stabbing another woman to death during a fight at a birthday party.
Jacqueline Loyola, 20, of the 2100 block of Tepee, had originally been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kassandra Caceres, 20, of Aurora.
In Kane County Circuit Court, Loyola admitted stabbing the victim with a kitchen knife during a birthday party held for Loyola at her residence on April 25, 2010. Caceres was among a group of people who showed up at the party and were asked to leave, according to authorities.
“During the party, the victim and the defendant’s sister got into a fight over something trivial, it was a minor thing,” Assistant Kane County State’s Atty. Pam Monaco said.
Caceres broke a window at the Loyola residence, sparking the fight, Loyola's attorney, David Camic, said.
The sister, who was 16, and Caceres began struggling outside the residence, and Loyola, believing her sister was in danger, retrieved a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim repeatedly in the back, Monaco said.
“Her friends carried Miss Caceres to their vehicle to take her to the hospital, but it was too late,” Monaco said.
Loyola entered a blind plea, meaning Judge Timothy Sheldon will decide Loyola’s sentence. He set Dec. 22 for that hearing. She faces anywhere from probation to a 4-to-15-year prison sentence. Camic said he will ask for probation, based on the circumstances and Loyola’s limited criminal record.
