Jacqueline Annette Williams - Clemency Requested

On November 16, 1995, one of the most notorious, horrific triple homicides occurred in the Village of Addison, Illinois.  Debra Evans, 28, was fatally shot and stabbed in the apartment home she shared with her boyfriend and her children, Samantha, 10, Joshua, 8 and Jordan, 22 months.  Debra was nine (9) months pregnant.  The little boy she was carrying, Elijah Evans, a full term fetus, was cut from his mother's womb with a pair of poultry shears.  Debra's daughter, Samantha, was stabbed to death in her bedroom.  Joshua and baby Elijah were taken from the apartment, little Jordan was left in the apartment by himself, alone with his deceased mother and sister.  Debra's boyfriend was at work when the unspeakable, bloody carnage commenced.  


The day after Debra and Samantha's murders, little Joshua's body was discovered in an alley in Maywood, Illinois.  He was poisoned, strangled and stabbed to death.  He was killed because he told one of the State's witnesses that he saw "Annette, Fedell and Vern" kill his mother and sister.  


The Addison Police soon discovered the suspects whom were later identified as Jacqueline Annette Williams, Fedell Caffey and Levern Ward.  Williams was arrested at her Schaumburg townhouse,  holding a newborn baby that was later identified as Elijah Evans on November 17, 1995.   In connection with the murders and kidnapping of the Evans family, Ms. Williams, her cousin, Levern Ward, and her boyfriend, Fedell Caffey, were also arrested and charged with several counts of first degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.  All three defendants were indicted and tried in separate criminal jury trials.  All three defendants were found guilty.  Ms. Williams was convicted of first degree murder of Debra Evans, Samantha Evans and Joshua Evans. She was convicted of aggravated kidnapping of Elijah Evans.  The same jury found that defendant Williams eligible for the death penalty for her role in the unspeakable homicides.  


In 2003, then Governor George Ryan commuted the death sentences of all inmates that were on Death Row to life in prison, without the possibility of parole.  Williams' death sentence was commuted as well.  Governor Ryan imposed a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois because of serious, grievous errors, police and official misconduct committed by certain Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies and Judicial Circuit Courts, including Du Page County.  It was discovered that thirteen innocent people were awaiting execution on Illinois Death Row. Who can forget the political faux pas of the Jeanine Nicarico murder trial?  I can not and it cost the citizens of Du Page County taxpayers a multi-million dollar judgment for malicious prosecution of three innocent men, whom were convicted and wrongly sent to Death Row. The death penalty in Illinois was permanently abolished in 2011 by Governor Pat Quinn.


It has been recently reported that Ms. Williams is now seeking to have her homicide and kidnapping case reopened.  Williams is also seeking clemency as well.  She claims she's "been in prison long enough for her crime and wishes to be released to be reunited with her three adult children and six grandchildren".  Williams further indicated that she missed certain things, like being able to smell a flower or enjoy a hug from her family.  Williams stated that she is a "changed woman" and can be a productive member of society and provide assistance to women that were in the same situation she is in". 


When I read this, I was speechless.  Perhaps Ms. Williams should be reminded of the bloodshed enacted upon Debra Evans, her daughter Samantha, whom would have been 27 years old, perhaps married and a young mother herself.  What the defendant (Williams) and her boyfriend did to little Joshua Evans, whom would have been 25 years old, perhaps married himself with a wife and children himself.  On November 16, 1995, this defendant made the choice to participate in a brutal homicide, ending the lives of Debra, Samantha and Joshua.  The victims were butchered by Williams and the other two defendants.  Society would not be safe if Jacqueline Annette Williams was released from the Illinois Department of Corrections.  Williams gave up the right to smell a flower, receive a hug from her family or enjoy the freedom of society.  She deserves to complete her life sentence.  


Jordan Evans and Elijah Evans are teenagers and reside with family in rural Southern Illinois, far away from the carnage of their earlier lives.  Thank God for that.

Copyright, 2012, by Peeper Talk. All rights reserved.