US professor accused of Chicago murder with Oxford employee makes first court appearance

Associated Press
Updated
Wyndham Lathem, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Northwestern University - Chicago Police Department
Wyndham Lathem, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Northwestern University - Chicago Police Department

A fired Northwestern University professor facing a murder charge in Chicago briefly appeared in a California courtroom on Monday, smiling at supporters who waved at him.

Wyndham Lathem, a microbiologist, was accused along with an Oxford University employee in a Chicago arrest warrant in the fatal stabbing of Trenton James Cornell-Duranleau. The 26-year-old hair stylist's body was found on July 27 in Lathem's Chicago apartment.

Lathem, who was being held without bail in Alameda County, surrendered in Oakland on Friday after being on the run for more than a week. While details of the gruesome case have been in the headlines for days, including a bizarre donation made in the victim's name at a Wisconsin library and a videotaped confession sent to friends, an attorney painted a different picture.

Andrew Warren, an employee of the University of Oxford, has also been arrested in the case - Credit: AP
Andrew Warren, an employee of the University of Oxford, has also been arrested in the case Credit: AP

Attorney, Kenneth H. Wine, called the 42-year-old Lathem a "gentle soul" and said the allegations run contrary to how he's lived his life.

"Since the beginning of this case, the defence has received dozens of calls and letters in support of Dr. Lathem, from friends and colleagues who have known him for decades," Wine said in a statement. "They all describe him in the same way - a kind, intelligent, and gentle soul, and a loyal and trusted friend. What he is accused of is totally contrary to the way he has lived his entire life."

Wine said Lathem plans to plead not guilty and urged the public to withhold judgment until all of the facts of the case emerge.

Lathem is accused along with Oxford University financial officer Andrew Warren, who separately surrendered to authorities in San Francisco last week. Warren, a British national, does not yet have an initial court date. He arrived in the US days before the killing.

Authorities have not discussed his relationship to the other men or a possible motive for the killing.

Attorney Kenneth Wine is representing Wyndham Lathem - Credit: AP
Attorney Kenneth Wine is representing Wyndham Lathem Credit: AP

Wine said that Lathem came to the San Francisco Bay Area to see his closest friends and family members. Asked about Lathem's mental state, Wine said he is fine.

At least five friends appeared in court on Monday to support Lathem, with one blowing kisses. They declined to comment.

Lathem was not formally arraigned on Monday but waived extradition. Alameda County is assisting Illinois by beginning the process required for extradition. Chicago authorities now have 30 days to bring him back.

Also on Monday, Northwestern University said Lathem had been terminated "for the act of fleeing from police when there was an arrest warrant out for him." His firing was effective on Friday, according to university spokesman Alan Cubbage.

Lathem, who had been a faculty member since 2007, continues to be banned from entering the Northwestern, which has campuses in Chicago and suburban Evanston.

Cornell-Duranleau was a 26-year-old Michigan native who moved to Chicago last year. Police have said that he and Lathem had a personal relationship but not elaborated.

Authorities have said the attack on Cornell-Duranleau was so brutal that the blade of the knife believed to have been used in the stabbing was broken. When police found him he'd already been dead for at least 12 hours.