Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW)  – Clarence Hopson was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Thursday for using a box cutter to attack his ex-girlfriend. Circuit Judge Adam Giganti sentenced Hopson after a Sangamon County jury found him guilty of attempted first degree murder, home invasion, aggravated domestic battery, and aggravated stalking.

The attack occurred on November 12, 2022, after Hopson had stalked and threatened his ex-girlfriend for weeks. The jury heard evidence in the July 2024 trial that he shattered her glass door with a cinder block, then entered her home and used a box cutter to slash her throat, chin, and wrist. Hopson fled, but the victim called 911 and was rushed to the hospital. Police recovered the box cutter from the scene, and forensic tests revealed the victim’s blood on the blade and Hopson’s DNA on the handle. After the attack, Hopson initially fled to Chicago, and then Las Vegas, before being apprehended in Colorado and extradited back to Illinois.

During the trial, evidence showed Hopson contacted his ex-girlfriend 39 times by phone and social media before the attack. Prosecutors argued that he intended to kill her, but she fought him off and survived. At sentencing, the victim shared how the attack left her with lasting physical and emotional scars but expressed grace by praying Hopson would forgive himself. Hopson apologized, claiming he never meant for the attack to happen.

Judge Giganti dismissed Hopson’s apology, stating he had many chances to stop. The jury found Hopson guilty on all counts. The court agreed with the jury’s finding, sentencing Hopson to 25 years for attempted first degree murder, 10 years for home invasion, and 5 years for aggravated stalking. Due to the severity of the attack, the attempted first degree murder and home invasion sentences will be served at 85%.