Joliet Killer Was Not Contributing To Mother's House: Prosecutor

JOLIET, IL — Monday's late afternoon argument on the second floor of his parents' house in the 700 block of Joliet's Fairlane Drive resulted in six gunshots being fired by 32-year-old Jakeem Williams, killing his parent, Matthew Woodfork, Will County prosecutor Christopher Koch revealed Tuesday in bond court.

Koch told Will County Judge Marzell Richardson St. that an altercation between Williams and his mother preceding the shooting involved "an argument over his contribution to living in the house." Williams was at the top of his stairs with his mother and that's when his other parent, Woodfork, intervened, the prosecutor said.

Williams pulled out a gun and shot Woodfork several times, and the shooting was witnessed by several children, Koch said. There were five minor children inside the house when the homicide happened, he said.

Koch said six gunshots were fired before Williams ran outside and drove away. After Williams was captured near Elwood, he gave an interview with Joliet police detectives, leading them to a farm field where he had disposed of the gun he used in Woodfork's killing, a 380 revolver, according to the Will County prosecutor.

When Joliet police recovered the gun, it had six spent shell casings, consistent with the evidence that six gunshots were fired at the homicide victim at close range.

Koch said the Joliet homicide victim suffered multiple gunshots.

Around 4 p.m. Monday, Joliet police found Woodfork bleeding inside his open garage, and he later died at St. Joe's hospital.

According to Tuesday's testimony, Williams had told Joliet police he was in an argument inside the house on Fairlane Drive, that he had pulled out his gun and slammed a door on his father and his father replied, "I'll make you use it."

One of the children inside the house, a 15-year-old, called 911 to notify Joliet police of the shooting just a few minutes before 4 p.m.

The 15-year-old told 911 dispatchers that "his brother is shooting a gun at his father," Koch told the judge.

"He had a gun and shot him as he was going down the stairs," Koch told the courtroom.

The homicide victim, the judge was reminded, had come up the stairs to stop the argument between Williams and his mother.

Williams has no criminal history in Will County, and his newly appointed Will County public defender asked the judge to give Williams a reasonable bond.

She noted that Williams had a lack of criminal history.

Koch, on the other hand, asked for a $5 million bail.

"It is a serious offense," Koch told Judge Richardson.

There were multiple minors inside the home, Koch noted.

The gun homicide will carry a maximum prison term of 45 years to life in prison, Koch pointed out.

Richardson agreed with the prosecutor's request for a $5 million bail.

The judge told Williams, "Sir, you're going to need $500,000 to get out."