Detective Causes Mistrial In Joliet Body Shop Murders

JOLIET, IL - At 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Will County Judge Dave Carlson declared a mistrial in the double murder trial for defendant William "Billy" Krasawski, the man from Bourbonnais who is accused of killing Jamie Wills, 43, and her boyfriend Mike Oram, 48, with a hammer and a pipe wrench. Wednesday's turn of events was stunning for everyone in Courtroom 407, including the three prosecutors and the two public defenders representing Krasawski. The situation arose within a matter of minutes after the prosecution summoned Joliet Police Department detective, Tom Ponce, a 34-year police veteran, to the stand.

After Ponce recited his professional background, he was asked to explain his involvement in the March 9, 2016 double murder case inside the Joliet body shop on East Cass Street. According to Ponce's testimony, the defendant was in Chicago Heights and he was being detained on a parole violation. The witnesses were not supposed to testify about the defendant having had a criminal history.

At that point, one of the public defenders, Alexander Beck, arose from his chair and objected. The jury was sent out of the courtroom for about 15 minutes. The issue at hand was Ponce's testimony informing the jury that the defendant was already a convicted criminal.

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Outside the jury's presence, Judge Carlson told everyone that his only recourse, given Ponce's testimony, was to declare a mistrial and start the legal process all over. After all, if Krasawski is found guilty of first-degree murder, he faces a sentence of natural life in prison.

"Nobody is pleased; we feel that the trial was going real well, but in order to preserve Billy's rights, that was definitely the only choice, we, as well as Judge Carlson, had," Will County Public Defender Amy Christiansen told Joliet Patch immediately after the judge dismissed the jury.

Public defender Alexander Beck emphasized to Patch that his client maintains his innocence in the 2016 double murders on Joliet's east side. Wednesday afternoon's testimony from the Joliet Police detective tainted his client's right to a fair trial, Beck said.

Before Judge Carlson rendered his decision, there was interesting debate within the courtroom, outside the jury's presence, on how to deal with the Joliet detective's error. Ponce was also sent to the hallway so he was oblivious to what was being said about his brief testimony on the stand.

The lawyers and the judge appeared stunned that a veteran such as Ponce would blurt out an answer that, even the prosecution, acknowledged warranted a mistrial.

Krasawski, who is extremely talkative and antsy in Courtroom 407, told the judge he was leery about having a mistrial declared, if it meant many more months before his case would finally go trial.

The double murder defendant has remained in the Will County Adult Detention Facility since his arrest in March 2016, just a few days after the murders occurred.

"I've already done two years in a bathroom," the defendant told the judge.

"Mr. Krasawski, I get it," Judge Carlson responded. "I'm still a bit taken aback (by) what was said ... that it was in a trial of this magnitude with people who are experienced knowing the ramifications of it."

Carlson explained that at this stage of the judicial process, Krasawski is presumed to be an innocent man in the eyes of the justice system.

"The words seemed so ridiculously unimportant, but I have no doubt an appellate court would disagree with that," Judge Carlson told everyone.

Judge Dave Carlson

At one point, Krasawski asked if Judge Carlson could perhaps bring the jury back into Courtroom 407 and ask them what they remembered hearing Detective Ponce say on the witness stand.

Carlson explained there are strict rules governing how judges can interact with juries during a trial.

"I can't ask those questions," Carlson responded. He then informed the defendant that if he let the trial proceed and the jury found Krasawski guilty, an appeals court would certainly reverse his conviction and send the case back to the Will County Courthouse for a retrial.

"I promise you those little words would be as bright as day to them," Carlson said.

Krasawski thanked Carlson for being a fair-minded and even-keeled judge. Still, the defendant wanted to know how long will it take before his second trial could begin?

"As soon as possible," Carlson answered. "My plan is I'll take up motions on Monday at 9:30 a.m. ... and pick a new trial date. No one wants to kick this down the road."

Next, Krasawski asked what would prevent this same blunder at his second trial.

After all, Krasawski's mother and his sister are expected to testify for the Will County State's Attorney's Office against him. They already know his prior criminal history, he reminded the judge.

"How do we prevent this?" Krasawski asked.

Carlson assured the defendant it was his job to ensure that Krasawski's rights to due process are not violated in any way.

Then, shortly before 3 p.m., the jurors were ushered back into Carlson's courtroom for what had to be a stunning announcement.

"I have declared a mistrial in the case," Carlson told them. "You no longer have to sit and hear the case. There probably will be a new trial here. Thank you, we appreciate your service."

Mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department, Patch file image of Dave Carlson