Herbert Van Stephens, a Chicago fashion designer, has been sentenced to 39 years in prison for the murder of his boyfriend John Atkinson.
Van Stephens was found guilty of first degree murder Jan. 25. Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced Van Stephens in March 6, a Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesperson confirmed.
According to police, both Atkinson and Van Stephens suffered multiple stab wounds in a domestic attack last March on the 600 block of West Stratford Place. Both men were transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where Atkinson was pronounced dead and Van Stephens was listed in critical condition.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Atkinson suffered more than 50 stab wounds.
Van Stephens was well-known for clothing celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey.