Carbondale man charged with murder in deadly stabbing

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A Carbondale man is facing a murder charge in connection with a stabbing that left a Murphysboro man dead.

The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office filed charges Monday, Aug. 24, against 28-year-old Romello T. Merriweather in connection with the death of 52-year-old Troy Higgins of Murphysboro.

Merriweather is charged with murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Carbondale Police Department. He remains in the Jackson County Jail.

Police said officers responded around 10:40 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, to the 100 block of North Washington Street for a report of a stabbing.

When officers arrived, they found Higgins unconscious with multiple stab wounds and began providing aid. He was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale with life-threatening injuries. Higgins later died from his injuries.

Police also found a second stabbing victim, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

Officers located Merriweather shortly after the stabbing and took him into custody.

Investigators said Merriweather and the victims knew each other and had been involved in an altercation at the time of the stabbing.

Merriweather was initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon before the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office filed the murder charge.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.