Wife says she shot husband in self-defense

The victim was shot at least twice in the back.

YOUNGS-TOWN — Monique Williams told police she had to shoot her husband — “It was him or me!”

Nevertheless, Williams, 39, of Norwood Avenue, was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on a murder charge. Judge Robert P. Milich set bond at $1 million and a preliminary hearing for April 29.

Julius Williams, 44, was shot at least twice in the back around 9:30 p.m. at his North Side home and died later at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

First officers at the Williams’ home described Monique Williams as hysterical, saying she kept repeating: “I had to shoot him! I had to shoot him! He tried to choke me!”

The victim was found lying on the floor between the living and dining rooms. His eyes were open, and he was trying to breathe. His wife was leaning over him, telling police: “I shot him. It was him or me.”

Patrolman P.J. Chance located and unloaded a .38-caliber revolver that was on a couch cushion in the living room.

Once in custody, Monique Williams told police that her husband had been choking her and saying that he was going to kill her, her father, her whole family.

After being questioned by detectives at police headquarters downtown, Monique Williams was booked into the Mahoning County Jail.

Municipal Court records show Julius Williams was charged with domestic violence in 2006. The charge was reduced to disorderly conduct, and he was placed on six months’ probation and fined $75.

Williams is the city’s 11th homicide victim of the year. There were 10 homicides at this time last year.