Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Ex-Girlfriend

A Long Beach man who allegedly gunned down his ex- girlfriend, in front of their young son pleaded not guilty today to a capital murder charge.

Eric Jerome Williams Jr., 29, is charged in the Dec. 22 killing of Jerica Owens, 25.

The criminal complaint includes the special circumstance allegation that Williams killed Owens because she was a witness to a crime, which makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has yet to decide whether to seek capital punishment.

Williams allegedly shot Owens in the head several times in front of their son during an argument in the 1900 block of Chestnut Avenue before fleeing with the toddler.

The boy was subsequently rescued from an apartment building in the 1800 block of Chestnut Avenue, and Williams was booked on suspicion of murder.

Williams had allegedly tried to strangle the woman twice on Oct. 10 after becoming angry with her during a meeting to hand over their son, according to Deputy District Attorney Troy Davis.

Along with murder, Williams is charged with two counts of injuring a child’s parent and one count each of child abuse, resisting or delaying a peace officer and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The criminal complaint alleges that Williams was previously convicted of battery in 2008 and of unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle in 2010.

Williams is due back in a Long Beach courtroom March 16, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock