Feces On Laundry Machine Led To Joliet Murder: Prosecutor

JOLIET, IL — After punching 61-year-old Salem Village resident Michael Pappas in the head at least four or five times in their sixth-floor laundry room, William Paschall yelled "Die mother *****" as he grabbed the victim's walker and began to strike him in the head and his body, according to Peter Wilkes of the Will County's Attorney's Office.

Friday's brutal attack happened around 9 p.m., and by the time the Joliet Fire Department ambulance paramedics arrived at Salem Village, there was nothing they could do. Pappas was pronounced dead by the Will County Coroner's staff.

As for Joliet's latest first-degree murder defendant, Paschall was more than willing to explain to Joliet police detectives his version of events, according to Wilkes.

Joliet police interviewed Paschall at the Salem Village and later at Joliet's police station. Paschall told the detectives that "he has a temper" and his temper is "like a stick of dynamite," according to court filings.

Nursing home staff at Salem Village told Joliet police that Paschall was regarded "a time bomb" who routinely argued with fellow residents at the Salem Village on Rowell Avenue.

Paschall moved into Salem Village in 2022, according to Will County court records.

According to other Will County court records, Plainfield attorney Katherine Maloney petitioned Will County's judges in 2020 to appoint a legal guardian for Paschall because the New Lenox man was deemed a disabled adult. At that time, Paschall was divorced and had an adult son in Virginia and an adult daughter, whose address was unknown to the court.

In 2020 court filings, Maloney indicated Paschall was unable to manage his estate or financial affairs and lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his care.

"The reason for the guardianship is that the respondent is a disabled adult due to a brain tumor; he is unable to understand litigation or comprehend attorney's advice or judicial instruction or questions," the petition noted.

As a result of Friday night's death at Salem Village, Paschall has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery. Wilkes' petition to deny pretrial release was granted over the weekend by Will County Judge Joan Meyers.

According to the prosecution's filings, Pappas showed no signs of life when Joliet paramedics arrived at Salem Village on Rowell Avenue. After the killing happened, two employees of Salem Village told Joliet police that Pappas was using the washing machine and Pappas used a seated walker to move around.

Around 9 p.m., Paschall entered the laundry room on the sixth floor in his wheelchair and saw what he believed he was human feces on the washing machine. He questioned whether Pappas planned to clean up "the shit," according to prosecutors.

The commotion drew the attention of the nursing home staff, but when one employee tried to keep the two men separated, Paschall got out of his wheelchair and yanked Pappas' arm, pulling Pappas toward him, punching Pappas in the head four or five times, court documents show.

After Paschall's punches knocked Pappas to the floor, Paschall grabbed the victim's walker and continued to strike him in the head and across his head, according to Wilkes.

Staff at Salem Village told Joliet police that Pappas and Paschall had not had any prior issues before Friday night's killing. Pappas had lived at Salem Village for the past seven years while Paschall began living there in 2022.

"The victim was described as a quiet man who was very calm and respectful to staff," Wilkes informed the judge. "The defendant was described by staff as a 'time bomb' and routinely argued with other residents in the home."

During his first interview with Joliet police, Paschall told detectives that he went into the laundry room to do laundry and asked whose clothes were in the washer. After learning the clothes were Pappas', Paschall asked if Pappas were going to clean up the feces.

Paschall claimed that Pappas swore at him and began walking toward him as Paschall was backing out of the laundry room. After Paschall became mad, he hit the victim in the head pulling Pappas toward him, so he could not escape, the prosecutor noted.

During an interview with Joliet police, Paschall claimed Pappas was pretending to pass out.

Later, at the downtown police station, Paschall gave another interview, advising detectives that after Pappas refused to clean the washing machine, he told that Pappas that he "can put you in the washer and clean it that way," according to Wilkes.

The murder defendant recalled Pappas yelling out, "he's assaulting me," during the attack.

Also, Paschall made it clear he had no fear of the victim; Paschall "does not back down from a fight," he told Joliet police. After learning that one of the Salem Village employees has accused him of being a tough guy, Paschall said he told the employee he was not a tough guy, but Paschall "could kick your ass," the prosecutor noted.