Two men sentenced to prison for killing of John Wallace in 2013 in Englewood; third suspect acquitted

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 09:50:35 -0500

By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Victor Willis | Cook County Sheriff's Dept.

Two men have been sentenced to a total of 125 years in prison for the murder of John Wallace in the Englewood neighborhood over Labor Day weekend in 2013.

Victor Willis, 25; and his cousin Jamal Davis, 24, were previously convicted of the shooting death of 25-year-old John Wallace, according to a statement from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. A third defendant, Charles McKinney, was acquitted.

Davis had an argument with someone during the last week of August in 2013, according to prosecutors.

On Sept. 1, 2013, Davis went to that person’s home in the 6400 block of South Morgan, where a group had gathered to celebrate Labor Day weekend, prosecutors said.

Jamal Davis | Cook County Sheriff's Dept.

After a short period of time, Davis left the home, but threatened to bring several others back with him to “shoot the place up,” prosecutors said.

About half an hour later, Davis returned with Willis and a McKinney, prosecutors said.

Willis, armed with a gun with an extended clip, stormed up the porch, banged on the door and demanded to know where the person Davis had argued with was, prosecutors said.

Wallace, who was visiting at the home, opened the door and immediately closed it when he saw Willis armed with a gun.

Willis opened the door and began shooting at Wallace as he ran down the basement stairs, prosecutors said. Wallace was shot multiple times and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Willis and McKinney returned to the vehicle with Davis and they fled the scene, prosecutors said.

Willis, of the 5700 block of South Michigan Avenue, was sentenced to 75 years in prison, according to the state’s attorney’s office. Davis, of the 6700 block of South Langley, was sentenced to 50 years.

Third man charged in September 2013 murder of John Wallace in Englewood home

Michael Lansu — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:31:01 -0600

Jamal Davis / Photo from Chicago Police

BY WILL HAGER
Homicide Watch Chicago

A third man has been charged with murder for his alleged involvement in the slaying of John Wallace last September on an Englewood porch.

Jamal Davis, 22, of the 6700 block of South Langley Avenue, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, authorities said. He was also wanted on a warrant.

Davis is accused of being part of a group that allegedly gunned down 25-year-old John Wallace.

Davis allegedly slapped a man’s girlfriend a week before the murder, said Assistant State’s Attorney Anastasia Harper. That man told Davis he was no longer allowed at his house, but Davis threatened he would be back “with help and his gun.”

On Sept. 1, 2013, Davis and his girlfriend returned to the house in the 6400 block of South Morgan Street and taunted the man about the previous argument and slap, Harper said. Davis left in a van with his girlfriend, but returned a few minutes later with Charles McKinney and Victor Willis, who each had a handgun.

Willis knocked on the door and Wallace, who was not involved in the earlier disputes Davis, answered the door, authorities said.

Victor Willis / Photo from Chicago Police

Wallace refused to tell Willis the location of the man in the earlier dispute with Davis, and Willis responded by opening fire into the building -- striking Wallace five times, prosecutors said.

Davis, Willis and McKinney all fled in the van, Harper said.

Wallace was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead a few minutes later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Davis was arrested on warrant Feb. 4 and identified by witnesses in a lineup.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. held Davis on $100,000 bond and ordered he must be on electronic monitoring if he posts the required 10 percent.

Charles McKinney / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

Davis was sentenced to a year in prison in 2013 for possession of a controlled substance and got two years probation in 2009 for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Davis earned his G.E.D. from Kennedy King College and has one child, according to his public defender.

Willis, 22, of the 5700 block of South Michigan Avenue, is being held without bond. McKinney, 26, of the 800 block of East 65th Street, is being held on $2 million bond.

Jamal Davis | Homicide Watch Chicago

Two men sentenced to prison for killing of John Wallace in 2013 in Englewood; third suspect acquitted

Third man charged in September 2013 murder of John Wallace in Englewood home