ROCKFORD, Ill. — A suspect identified in a stabbing that killed 37-year-old Kyle Stephens on Tuesday was released before a trial.

20-year-old Varianna Parsons was granted pretrial release by the Winnebago County 17th Judicial Circuit Court. She had been charged with first-degree murder and obstruction in the stabbing of Stephens.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara expressed his disappointment with the decision in a post on Facebook .

"Judge rulings such as this are, at best, disheartening and, at worst, negligent. This decision does not make our community safer," said Mayor McNamara.

"Our officers worked tirelessly and performed exceptional work to apprehend a murder suspect —only for that suspect to be released by a judge from the comfort of a courtroom. That is simply unacceptable."

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