Victor Willis | Homicide Watch Chicago

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.

Second man charged in Englewood porch slaying

John Carpenter — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 23:17:03 -0500

A second man has been charged with murder for his role in a shooting that killed a man on an Englewood porch earlier this month.
Charles McKinney, 26, is charged with first-degree murder for the Sept. 1 attack that killed 25-year-old John Wallace, authorities said.
McKinney allegedly argued with a man in the 6400 block of South Morgan Street, then returned with another person and shots were fired, police said.
Prosecutors previously said Victor Willis -- who has also been charged with murder in connection with the attack -- went to the porch after his acquaintance taunted a man there and was told to leave by a resident.
Wallace, who had not been involved in the earlier dispute on the porch, answered the door and refused to say where the other man was now. Willis responded by opening fire into the building -- striking Wallace five times.
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.
Witnesses identified Willis as the shooter, prosecutors said.
McKinney, of the 800 block of East 65th Street, will appear for a bond hearing Thursday, police said.
Willis, of the 5700 block of South Michigan Avenue, was ordered held without bond and will next appear in court Oct. 2.
- Sun-Times Media Wire

No bond for man charged with Englewood porch slaying

John Carpenter — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 15:34:00 -0500

Bond was denied Friday for a Washington Park man charged with fatally shooting a man after a fight on an Englewood porch last week.
Victor Willis, 22, allegedly shot and killed 25-year-old John Wallace Sept. 1, authorities said.
Prior to the shooting, an acquaintance of Willis’ had approached a man sitting on a porch in the 6400 block of South Morgan Street and began taunting him about a girl, according to court documents. Another resident told everyone to leave the porch.
The taunter returned to the home a few minutes later with Willis, prosecutors said. Wallace, who had not been involved in the earlier dispute on the porch, answered the door and refused to say where the other man was now. Willis responded by opening fire into the building -- striking Wallace five times.
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.
Witnesses identified Willis as the shooter, prosecutors said. Willis, of the 5700 block of South Michigan Avenue, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder. Judge Israel Desierto ordered Willis held without bail Friday.
The man who instigated the fight and returned with Willis has not yet been charged, prosecutors said.
- Sun-Times Media Wire

Washington Park man charged with slaying last week on Englewood porch

John Carpenter — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 10:30:53 -0500

A Washington Park man has been charged with shooting a man to death on an Englewood porch last week.

Victor Willis, 22, allegedly shot and killed 25-year-old John Wallace during an argument Sept. 1 in the 6400 block of South Morgan Street, police said.

The men argued on a porch about 11:30 p.m. and Willis left and said, “I’ll be back with my gun,” according to police.

A short time later, he allegedly returned and shot Wallace several times, police said.

Wallace was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead at 12:20 a.m., according to the medical examiner’s office. Willis, of the 5700 block of South Michigan Avenue, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder, police said. He is expected to appear in bond court Friday.

- Sun-Times Media Wire