4 charges of first degree murder face a 54 year old Springfield man in connection with the stabbing death of 72 year old Darlene O’Bryan in her home on March 14.

Frederick DeGraffenried faces the severe charges, due in part to, as States Attorney Dan Wright put it at a Thursday news conference, “the exceptionally brutal or heinous action indicative of wanton cruelty.”

In addition to the homicide indictments the suspect is charged with home invasion, residential burglary, theft and unlawful use of a credit card.

DeGraffenried is being held without bond at the Sangamon County Jail.