Jonylah Watkins | Homicide Watch Chicago

Not guilty plea in slaying of Jonylah Watkins

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 17:14:05 -0500

A South Side felon pleaded not guilty Wednesday to killing a baby and wounding her father during a March shooting in the Woodlawn neighborhood.

Koman Willis appeared before Judge Nicholas Ford Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated battery, according to Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesman Stephen Campbell.

Willis, of the 7800 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, 32, is accused of shooting 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins and her father, Jonathan Watkins, on March 11 in the 6500 block of South Maryland. He surrendered to police May 26.

Jonylah was sitting in her dad’s lap in a vehicle when she was shot multiple times, authorities said. She died the next day at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. Watkins suffered three gunshot wounds in the attack.

Authorities believe the shootings were in retaliation for Watkins allegedly burglarizing Willis’ mother’s home. A PlayStation video-gaming device was among the items stolen, police said.

Willis has been involved in dozens of drug-related court cases and has also been sentenced to prison for leading police on a chase, according to court records.

He will be back in court for a status hearing on July 22.

Dad: Jonylah ‘was crying when they were shooting’; no bond for accused in killing

Sun-Times Media Wire — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:26:17 -0500

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN AND MITCH DUDEK

Six-month old Jonylah Watkins began crying when she heard the gunfire that would claim her life.

“She was crying when they were shooting,” her father, Jonathan Watkins said at a news conference Tuesday. “I crawled out the car with her on my chest, and she was looking at me eye to eye.”

The theft of drugs and a video game console led to a revenge shooting in which a bullet intended for her father tore through the infant’s body, Cook County prosecutors alleged Tuesday. Koman Willis was charged in the March 11 murder and ordered held without bond at a court hearing Tuesday. Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kent said Willis, a convicted felon, vowed to “shoot the people responsible” for the burglary at his mother’s home a month before Jonylah was killed. At the news conference after the bond hearing, Watkins, 29, refused to say whether he was involved in the burglary of a Sony PlayStation and narcotics that, according to prosecutors, led Willis to open fire on Watkins as he changed Jonylah’s diaper in the front seat of a minivan in the 6500 block of South Maryland. When asked if the right man had been charged with the murder, Watkins nodded yes, but would not say whether her saw the shooter’s face. “I don’t know the guy,” he said, as he stood beside Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, who’s acting as a family spokesman. A source said Willis and Watkins knew each other from the neighborhood. Details will come out at trial, Brooks said. Before and after the deadly shooting, Willis was captured on surveillance cameras traveling in the vicinity of the crime in his girlfriend’s Chrylser Town and Country, the same vehicle witnesses saw a man run into after they heard gunshots, Kent said. Cellphone records also indicate that Willis was in the area, Kent said.Willis — who is 32 according to court records and 33 according to the police — allegedly made phone calls asking others to remove the car’s license plates and hide the vehicle in a garage. Willis, of the 7800 block of South St. Lawrence, also admitted to someone that after spotting Watkins, he went to get his weapon and followed him before opening fire, Kent said. The fatal bullet entered Jonylah’s left armpit and traveled through her torso. Watkins survived three gunshot wounds. During Willis’ bond hearing Tuesday, attorney Robert Fisher said he needed more time to present mitigation in Willis’ defense, so Judge Israel Desierto ordered Willis temporarily held without bond until a June 6 hearing. Willis has five previous felony convictions, including aggravated assault to a police officer.

“He is presumed innocent and he is maintaining his innocence,” Fisher said after the hearing. Watkins, who stated that he had left the gang life about 10 years ago, said his daughter’s death changed his life. “I’m working now. I’m not standing on the corners no more. I go to church now. I am just a whole different person . . . cause I know she’s up there and looking down on me."

No bond for man charged with killing 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins

Sun-Times Media Wire — Tue, 28 May 2013 13:00:22 -0500

Chicago Sun-Times

A South Side felon charged with killing baby Jonylah Watkins and wounding her father was ordered held without bail during a hearing in Cook County criminal court on Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.

Koman Willis, of the 7800 block of South St. Lawrence, appeared before a judge on first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges in connection with the March shooting. Koman was aiming for the baby’s father -- angry because Jonathan Watkins allegedly stole a PlayStation, police said.

Jonathan Watkins was about to kiss his daughter as he was changing her diaper in a vehicle parked on the South Side where the two where shot, Cook County prosecutors said in court.

Willis surrendered to police Saturday afternoon, accompanied by an attorney, Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said.

“He knew we were looking for him,” McCarthy said.

Willis didn’t give police a statement about the March 11 shootings, McCarthy said. Police haven’t recovered the gun or the getaway vehicle, he said.

Authorities said they believe the shootings were in retaliation for Jonylah’s father allegedly burglarizing Willis’ mother’s home. A PlayStation videogame device was among the items stolen, officials said. Jonylah’s father, Jonathan Watkins, probably won’t be charged in the burglary, McCarthy said.

Watkins suffered three bullet wounds. At the time of the shooting, Watkins told the Chicago Sun-Times from his hospital bed that he didn’t know who shot him.

McCarthy said the shots were fired from behind Watkins, who was sitting with Jonylah in his lap in a minivan in the 6500 block of South Maryland.

“He may or may not have seen him,” McCarthy said, adding that police don’t think Willis was trying to hit the baby.

Willis is no stranger to the Cook County courts, records show.

Of the dozens of cases against Willis, most involved drugs. But he also was involved in a wild police chase that led to a three-year prison sentence.

On Nov. 2, 2002, he was driving a Chevy Monte Carlo when police tried to stop him for a traffic violation. He sped from the police and collided with another car in a fiery wreck, records show. Two people in the other car were injured. A year later, Willis pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of an officer, property damage and four counts of aggravated fleeing, records show.

Willis -- who is 32 according to court records and 33 according to the police -- was a suspect almost from the beginning of the investigation into Jonylah’s killing, McCarthy said.

“For three months our detectives were out pounding the pavement, interviewing individuals and going back to using that information, which is what ultimately led to a break on the case, which allowed us to charge Mr. Willis today,” he told reporters at the 51st and Wentworth police station during a Monday afternoon news conference.

Chicago Police Lt. Kevin Duffin, who led the investigation, said it took a toll on his detectives.

“We all have our own kids,” Duffin told reporters. “Guys put in an inordinate amount of time on this.”

Detectives located key witnesses last week and that “started the ball rolling,” Duffin said.

McCarthy praised the Rev. Corey Brooks, pastor of the South Side’s New Beginnings Church of Chicago, who served as a bridge between the police and Jonylah’s family.

“Thanks, you did a wonderful job,” Brooks responded at Monday’s news conference.

On Monday, Watkins and his wife, Judy, were visiting the cemetery where Jonylah was buried, Brooks said.

A bond hearing for Willis is scheduled for noon Tuesday.

Police: Man who allegedly shot, killed, baby was angry at dad over stolen video game

John Carpenter — Tue, 28 May 2013 10:00:18 -0500

BY FRANK MAIN, TINA SFONDELES AND JON SEIDEL

Chicago Sun-Times Staff Reporters

A South Side felon was charged Monday with killing baby Jonylah Watkins and wounding her father because he was angry the dad stole a PlayStation, police said.

Koman Willis, of the 7800 block of South St. Lawrence, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery, said Sally Daly, a spokeswoman for the Cook County state’s attorney.

Willis surrendered to police Saturday afternoon, accompanied by an attorney, Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said.

“He knew we were looking for him,” McCarthy said.

Willis didn’t give police a statement about the March 11 shootings, McCarthy said. Police haven’t recovered the gun or the getaway vehicle, he said.

Watkins suffered three bullet wounds. At the time of the shooting, Watkins told the Chicago Sun-Times from his hospital bed that he didn’t know who shot him.

McCarthy said the shots were fired from behind Watkins, who was sitting with Jonylah in his lap in a minivan in the 6500 block of South Maryland.

“He may or may not have seen him,” McCarthy said, adding that police don’t think Willis was trying to hit the baby.

Willis is no stranger to the Cook County courts, records show.

Of the dozens of cases against Willis, most involved drugs. But he also was involved in a wild police chase that led to a three-year prison sentence.

Willis — who is 32 according to court records and 33 according to the police — was a suspect almost from the beginning of the investigation into Jonylah’s killing, McCarthy said.

Chicago Police Lt. Kevin Duffin, who led the investigation, said it took a toll on his detectives.

“We all have our own kids,” Duffin told reporters. “Guys put in an inordinate amount of time on this.”

Detectives located key witnesses last week and that “started the ball rolling,” Duffin said.

McCarthy praised the Rev. Corey Brooks, pastor of the South Side’s New Beginnings Church of Chicago, who served as a bridge between the police and Jonylah’s family.

“Thanks, you did a wonderful job,” Brooks responded at Monday’s news conference.

On Monday, Watkins and his wife, Judy, were visiting the cemetery where Jonylah was buried, Brooks said.

A bond hearing for Willis is scheduled for noon Tuesday.

Shooting that killed 6-month-old likely gang retaliation, source says

John Carpenter — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:19:26 -0500

Chicago Sun-Times (IL) - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Author/Byline: FRANK MAIN, MITCH DUDEKAND STEFANO ESPOSITO ; Staff Reporters

As teddy bears and balloons piled up Tuesday night near the South Side spot where a 6-month-old girl was fatally shot and her father wounded, detectives continued to scour the Woodlawn neighborhood for leads.
“We don’t have one individual who is stepping up to help us,” Supt. Garry McCarthy said.

A police source said Jonathan Watkins may have been targeted in retaliation for alleged links to an earlier robbery and shooting.

“We’re not clear at this point if he’s cooperating,” McCarthy said of Watkins .

Watkins was recovering from bullet wounds at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a funeral was planned for his daughter,Jonylah .

While police are exploring several different angles to the investigation, McCarthy said Tuesday that “there are very strong gang overtones to this event.”

Police sources say Watkins , 29, is a gang member who has been arrested 30 times, including once in 2007 police for illegal possession of a 9mm handgun, which he told police he was carrying for protection, court records show. He received a three-year prison sentence.

Police are tapping the Rev. Corey Brooks, who is acting as the Watkins family spokesman, to assist in obtaining help from hesitant family members.

On Monday afternoon, Watkins was standing on the curb in the 6500 block of South Maryland, changing his daughter’s diaper on the front passenger seat of a minivan, when a gunman emerged unnoticed from a gangway behind him and opened fire. He and Jonylah were injured. She survived emergency surgery but died Tuesday morning.

Brooks initially said Jonylah had been shot five times, but a law enforcement report indicates one bullet entered her right shoulder and exited her left buttocks.

Watkins remained hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday, with gunshot wounds to the side, buttocks and cheek, but he spoke briefly by phone with the Chicago Sun-Times.

“I was trying to help. I was trying to help. I was trying to help her,” Jonathan Watkins said in a weak voice shortly after learning that Jonylah had died.

“They told me she didn’t make it,” Watkins said, his voice cracking with emotion.

He said he has no idea who shot them, although McCarthy said it appeared that he was the “intended victim.”

Watkins recently married his wife, Judy, 20, who works at a McDonald’s restaurant. They live in Woodlawn.

Brooks, who said Jonathan Watkins has two other children from a previous relationship, met with Watkins and his wife Tuesday to pray, but he did not discuss the shooting with them. He is “pretty sedated,” Brooks said.

“I don’t know him to be in a gang,” said Brooks Tuesday night at a memorial for Jonylah .

Also on Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the shooting “a senseless, despicable act of violence that is heartbreaking.”

Although the city saw homicides drop in February by 50 percent from the previous year — a trend continuing into March — Emanuel said that progress in reducing violence “is only one measure.”

Monday’s shooting was Jonylah ’s second brush with gun violence. Judy Watkins was shot in the knee less than three blocks from Monday’s shooting when she was eight months pregnant with Jonylah .

Jonathan Watkins and his daughter had been visiting friends in the neighborhood when the shooting occurred, said Mary Young, the baby’s maternal grandmother.

After the shooting, the gunman ran across a vacant lot, hopped into a blue van and drove north.

On Tuesday, Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), a former Chicago Police officer, said he has taken the unprecedented step of calling on gang leaders to essentially deliver the message that, it’s OK to kill each other, but don’t kill innocent people and certainly not kids.

Cochran was joined by several other African-American aldermen and a former gang member at a City Hall news conference to condemn the murder..

“We’ve talked with some of the gang leaders, and we’ve talked about how important it is for them to not harbor offenders that they know are offenders who have committed crimes associated with innocent victims,” Cochran said. “These are acts that are carried out by people on the street. And on the street is where it has to be dealt with.”

Cochran said he never talked to the gang leaders about who shot Jonylah . He simply sought and received a “commitment” from them to pass along an important message.

“Innocent victims are unacceptable. They are out-of-bounds. They’re off-limits,” he said.

Contributing: Lisa Donovan, Fran Spielman

Infant killed while dad changed diaper

John Carpenter — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:10:41 -0500

Chicago Sun-Times (IL) - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Author/Byline: ROSALIND ROSSI, MITCH DUDEK AND LISA DONOVAN ; Staff Reporters

A gunman took aim at a father who was changing his 6-month-old daughter’s diaper in a minivan Monday afternoon — shooting both multiple times on a Woodlawn neighborhood street.
Jonathan Watkins was standing on the curb on the 6500 block of South Maryland, using the front passenger seat of a minivan as a changing table, when a gunman emerged unnoticed from a gangway behind him and opened fire, hitting Watkins and his baby, Jonylah .

It was the infant’s second brush with gun violence. Her mother, Judy Watkins , 20, was shot in the knee when she was eight months pregnant with Jonylah , less than three blocks from Monday’s shooting.

On Monday, minutes after the shooting at 12:50 p.m., a police escort cleared the way for the ambulance carrying Jonylah to Comer Children’s Hospital, a measure usually seen only when a police officer is shot.

The Rev. Corey Brooks, acting as a Watkins family spokesman, said Jonylah was shot five times: in her lungs, liver, bowel, leg and shoulder. Outside the hospital, Brooks and family members asked people to pray for Jonylah after she emerged from surgery Monday evening, still in critical condition.

Jonathan Watkins , who relatives said was in his late 20s, was shot in the side and buttocks and suffered a graze wound to his cheek. He was in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to police.

After the shooting, the gunman ran across a vacant lot, hopped into a blue van and drove north.

Police were investigating whether the shooting may have been prompted by an angry post on Facebook, a source told the Chicago Sun-Times. Tiffany Young, 31, one of Judy Watkins ’ sisters, said she didn’t know anything about a possible Facebook feud.

Jonathan Watkins and his daughter had been visiting friends in the neighborhood when the shooting occurred, said Mary Young, the baby’s maternal grandmother.

Family members struggled to understand how anybody could gun down a little baby.

“There’s too much shooting over there,” Mary Young said. “She’s none but 6 months old. How could anybody — what kind of heart?”

Dominique Young, one of Judy Watkins ’ sisters said: “The person who did this, they need to turn themselves in. They were really trying to hurt” someone.

Asked about reports from police that Jonathan Watkins has gang ties, Brooks responded, saying: “We’re dealing with a family man with a wife and a child. We have no idea about any gang-banging.”

After her daughter survived surgery, Judy Watkins clung to a purple balloon that read, “Get well soon,” as Brooks said: “We need everybody praying. This mother is hurt, traumatized. We need this baby to live.”

Brooks said people were passing out fliers near 67th and Maryland seeking information about the shooting.

“We are not going to stop until we catch the people responsible,” he said.

Earlier Monday evening, Brooks said his church is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrest of the gunman.

“Any time you shoot someone, it’s a cowardly act. For a baby to be shot, it’s despicable,” he said.

Judy Watkins , who had recently married Jonathan, was finishing a shift at a McDonald’s restaurant when she heard her husband and daughter had been shot.

Neighbors said gunfire is common in the area.

Sedell Brown, 54, ushered her two granddaughters inside around the corner from the crime scene as they walked home from school.

“I don’t even let them go outside,” said Brown, who plans to move the family to a safer neighborhood. “I’m already packing. . . . I’m praying that I live to see 55. They shot a 6-month-old baby. You know they wouldn’t give a damn about me.”

Through a shattered window of the beige minivan where Jonylah was shot, a pink bag containing what appeared to be baby formula, clothes and diapers, could be seen on the back seat.