Naman Shrestha
A seemingly regular evening at the Advance Medical Rehabilitation Center in Loves Park, Illinois, turned out to be deadly for Joseph Pendergrass, the 59-year-old husband of the medical center’s employee, Dr. Cathy Dzik. At the heart of it all was the center’s Vice President, Roland Breault, who reportedly stabbed him during a fight. The episode titled ‘Killer Knifeman or Innocent Defender?’ of A&E’s ‘Accused: Did I Do It’ delves into the entire case and the accused’s quest to prove that he had acted in self-defense. By featuring Roland’s exclusive interview, the documentary puts a focus on his side of the story.
Roland Breault’s Altercation With Joseph Pendergrass Led to the Latter’s Demise
Born around 1964, Roland R. Breault was the Vice President of a medical center called the Advance Medical Rehabilitation Center or AMR Clinic. Co-founded by his wife, Mary Ann Breault, in 2002, the business was in the process of getting dissolved by 2015 as the owners were in a partnership dispute. After 14 long years of the AMR Clinic, Mary filed a lawsuit to dissolve the partnership. Despite the complications, Roland and Mary continued working there. However, on the evening of May 31, 2016, the father of three found himself in trouble while he was inside the premises, despite the objections from various employees at the clinic on Windsor Road in Loves Park, Illinois.
Since the security code of the property was changed, Roland ended up setting off a burglar alarm. A few minutes later, Dr. Cathy Dzik and her husband, Joseph “Joe” Pendergrass, showed up and confronted the Vice President. As per Roland’s accounts, Joe came at him in a hostile manner and attacked him after slapping his phone out of his hand. During the scuffle, Roland pulled out a folding knife from his pocket, allegedly to defend himself. Ultimately, the altercation resulted in 59-year-old Joe getting stabbed by Mary’s husband, who immediately exited the building and drove home. Roland then called 911 and reported the incident to the police, only to find out that Joe had been pronounced dead at the hospital.
Despite his claims of acting in self-defense, the authorities took him into custody soon after the crime and charged him with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the demise of Joseph Pendergrass, the owner of Dusty Boots Saloon. With his bond set at $1 million, he paid 10% of it and got released in early June 2016. However, he was ordered not to have any contact with Joe’s wife, AMR, or Dusty Boots, and not to leave Illinois without the permission of authorities. On June 30, Roland pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Since he attempted to buy a shotgun while out on bond, his bond was revoked on July 18, and he was taken into custody yet again.
Roland Breault Has Been Leading a Private Life With His Family After His Release
After several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roland Breault’s trial finally commenced on May 14, 2024. During the trial, the prosecution told the jury that he was the aggressor during his fight with Joseph Pendergrass inside the AMR Clinic. They presented evidence supporting their claims that Roland stabbed him with his pocket knife multiple times. The prosecutors also called multiple witnesses, including investigating officers, the coroner, and an AMR clinic employee, who testified against Roland and his negative relationship with other employees. On the other hand, the defense argued that Roland only acted in self-defense and escaped the situation when he got the chance.
With the help of a video captured by the defendant on the fateful evening, they were able to show how Joe attacked him first by slapping the phone out of his hand. After the prosecution and defense gave closing arguments, the jury deliberated before returning with a verdict on May 22, 2024. 60-year-old Roland Breault was convicted of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, but found not guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges. Since the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter was five years, and he had already spent eight years behind bars awaiting trial, he was released from custody after the verdict and allowed to go home to his family.
On August 2, 2024, he returned to court for his sentencing hearing, during which the defense counsel believed the verdict to be inconsistent, which is why he asked the judge to overturn his conviction and filed a motion for the same. The defense attorney told MyStateline, “The goal of the motion is to bring to the court’s attention errors in the court’s rulings during the course of the trial. If granted, the case goes on to a new trial.” About the possibility of placing Roland on probation, the defense attorney said, “It would be a total waste of the taxpayers’ money to put him on probation because he never had a problem in the jail, he’s had a law-abiding life his entire life and he’s a person who they can put in the community and not have any worries that he’ll ever be back at the courthouse.” As of today, he prefers to stay out of the limelight and lead a peaceful life with his family.
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