Jury Found Michael Freund Guilty of Murder
A Wheaton jury convicted Michael Freund in the 2023 shooting death of Dexter Perkins at a local bar.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Violence
A jury found Michael Freund, 51, guilty of first-degree murder for the death of 37-year-old Dexter Perkins. The verdict concludes a trial regarding a fatal shooting that occurred inside a local establishment.
Why it matters
The conviction resolves the legal proceedings surrounding a violent confrontation at a bar that escalated from a dispute over a food order.
A jury delivered a guilty verdict on Oct. 9, 2026, following the fatal shooting of Dexter Perkins at Rosie O'Reilly's. Michael Freund remains in custody ahead of a scheduled presentencing hearing.
The players
Michael Freund
He is the 51-year-old defendant who was convicted of first-degree murder.
Dexter Perkins
He was the 37-year-old victim who died at the scene following the shooting.
The details
Michael Freund retrieved a 9 mm Glock handgun from his truck after an argument over a bar tab and a second pizza. He returned to the establishment and fired two warning shots before shooting Dexter Perkins nine times, killing him at the scene.
Timeline
Dec. 22, 2023: The fatal shooting occurred at the bar.
Oct. 9, 2026: Michael Freund was found guilty of murder.
Nov. 9, 2026: Presentencing hearing scheduled.
Legal Context
This case follows the standard procedural path established by DuPage County judicial protocols for handling first-degree murder cases. The conviction highlights how local courts process violent offenses stemming from interpersonal disputes.
The resolution of this trial concludes the legal phase of a high-profile incident at a local business. Residents can expect the focus to shift toward the formal sentencing phase in the coming month.
The takeaway
This case serves as a somber reminder of how quickly verbal disputes can escalate to lethal outcomes when firearms are introduced. Conflict resolution remains an essential skill for maintaining safety in public social spaces.
What happens next
Michael Freund is scheduled for a presentencing hearing on Nov. 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local legal developments, visit the Violence section.
