ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has called a judicial decision to release a murder suspect "unacceptable," a sentiment echoed by the Winnebago County State's Attorney, who argued the judge's decision was "in error."

Varianna Parsons, 20, and Shawn Bunton, Jr., 24, are charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Kyle Stephens, 37, who was stabbed to death and found beneath the Whitman Street Bridge on Tuesday morning.

According to Rockford Police, at 3:25 a.m., officers were called to the scene to address a “noise complaint.”

Stephens was found suffering from several stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Parsons was arrested on Tuesday and then released on Wednesday following a pretrial detention hearing before Jude Heidi Augustsson. Bunton is stil

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