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Man charged with killing 6-month-old Chicago girl
(CNN) -- A career criminal has been charged in the March killing of a 6-month-old Chicago girl, the city's police superintendent said Monday at a news conference.
Garry McCarthy said Koman Willis has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery in the death of Jonylah Watkins, whose death was held up nationally as a new low in Chicago's gun violence.
Willis, 33, is a gang member with at least 38 prior arrests, McCarthy said. He added that police think Willis was seeking revenge for the alleged theft of a video game system by Jonylah's father, Jonathan, who was also shot March 11.
Willis turned himself in Saturday afternoon. He came in with an attorney because he knew police were looking for him, McCarthy said.
The superintendent said this was not a case of gang violence even though the suspect and the victim's father have ties to gangs.
"We believe the motivation was the burglary," he said. He said it was unlikely Watkins, 29, will be charged with theft.
Lead investigator Kevin Duffin said police were able to identify new witnesses last week.
"They provided some key information that got the ball rolling," he said.
No weapon or getaway van has been recovered, police said. McCarthy said "we're still not at that point" to say that Willis acted alone but no other charges are expected soon.
Jonathan Watkins, who was seriously wounded in the shooting, didn't attend the news conference.
"The family spent the day at the grave site," Corey Brooks, pastor of the New Beginnings Church of Chicago, said, adding he called the family when he learned that Willis had being charged.
"They are very grateful and thankful. Hopefully they will be able to put this part behind them and go forward."
SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/27/us/illinois-baby-shooting/index.html?hpt=us_c2
Garry McCarthy said Koman Willis has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery in the death of Jonylah Watkins, whose death was held up nationally as a new low in Chicago's gun violence.
Willis, 33, is a gang member with at least 38 prior arrests, McCarthy said. He added that police think Willis was seeking revenge for the alleged theft of a video game system by Jonylah's father, Jonathan, who was also shot March 11.
Willis turned himself in Saturday afternoon. He came in with an attorney because he knew police were looking for him, McCarthy said.
The superintendent said this was not a case of gang violence even though the suspect and the victim's father have ties to gangs.
"We believe the motivation was the burglary," he said. He said it was unlikely Watkins, 29, will be charged with theft.
Lead investigator Kevin Duffin said police were able to identify new witnesses last week.
"They provided some key information that got the ball rolling," he said.
No weapon or getaway van has been recovered, police said. McCarthy said "we're still not at that point" to say that Willis acted alone but no other charges are expected soon.
Jonathan Watkins, who was seriously wounded in the shooting, didn't attend the news conference.
"The family spent the day at the grave site," Corey Brooks, pastor of the New Beginnings Church of Chicago, said, adding he called the family when he learned that Willis had being charged.
"They are very grateful and thankful. Hopefully they will be able to put this part behind them and go forward."
SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/27/us/illinois-baby-shooting/index.html?hpt=us_c2
Wouldn’t it be great if this happened in real life? A Defense Attorney not being able to take it any more.
And Justice for All
Arthur Kirkland: That man is guilty! That man, there, that man is a slime! he is a *slime*! If he's allowed to go free, then something really wrong is goin' on here!
Judge Rayford: Mr. Kirkland you are out of order!
Arthur Kirkland: You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They're out of order! That man, that sick, crazy, depraved man, raped and beat that woman there, and he'd like to do it again! He *told* me so! It's just a show! It's a show! It's "Let's Make A Deal"! "Let's Make A Deal"! Hey Frank, you wanna "Make A Deal"? I got an insane judge who likes to beat the **** out of women! Whaddya wanna gimme Frank, 3 weeks probation?
Frank Bowers: *Dammit!*
Arthur Kirkland: [to Judge Fleming] You, you sonofabitch, you! You're supposed to *stand* for somethin'! You're supposed to protect people! But instead you rape and murder them!
[dragged out of court by bailiffs]
Arthur Kirkland: You killed McCullough! You killed him! Hold it! Hold it! I just completed my opening statement!
And Justice for All
Arthur Kirkland: That man is guilty! That man, there, that man is a slime! he is a *slime*! If he's allowed to go free, then something really wrong is goin' on here!
Judge Rayford: Mr. Kirkland you are out of order!
Arthur Kirkland: You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They're out of order! That man, that sick, crazy, depraved man, raped and beat that woman there, and he'd like to do it again! He *told* me so! It's just a show! It's a show! It's "Let's Make A Deal"! "Let's Make A Deal"! Hey Frank, you wanna "Make A Deal"? I got an insane judge who likes to beat the **** out of women! Whaddya wanna gimme Frank, 3 weeks probation?
Frank Bowers: *Dammit!*
Arthur Kirkland: [to Judge Fleming] You, you sonofabitch, you! You're supposed to *stand* for somethin'! You're supposed to protect people! But instead you rape and murder them!
[dragged out of court by bailiffs]
Arthur Kirkland: You killed McCullough! You killed him! Hold it! Hold it! I just completed my opening statement!
"With at least 38 prior arrests".... Now what is it about that statement that says Mr. Willis should be on the streets?
seeking revenge for the alleged theft of a video game system by Jonylah's father? So now a game system is more valued than a human life? What in gods name is happening in this country? Horrible!
Our legal system is a JOKE.
If I was a defense-attorney, that represented him during one of his 38 previous arrests, I'd hold myself personally responsible for this.
If I was a prosecuting-attorney, that wasn't able to make any of his previous 38 arrests stick well enough to put him away, I'd be ashamed of myself, and take some of the responsibility.
Our lawyers, legal system, laws, judges... all, SHAMEFUL.
Any defense-attorney's in our midst? If so... thank you SO MUCH for putting garbage like this back on the street.
Any prosecuting-attorney's in our midst? If so... thank you SO MUCH for allowing garbage like this to roam free.
Idiots... all of you.
If I was a defense-attorney, that represented him during one of his 38 previous arrests, I'd hold myself personally responsible for this.
If I was a prosecuting-attorney, that wasn't able to make any of his previous 38 arrests stick well enough to put him away, I'd be ashamed of myself, and take some of the responsibility.
Our lawyers, legal system, laws, judges... all, SHAMEFUL.
Any defense-attorney's in our midst? If so... thank you SO MUCH for putting garbage like this back on the street.
Any prosecuting-attorney's in our midst? If so... thank you SO MUCH for allowing garbage like this to roam free.
Idiots... all of you.
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