Trial continues for woman accused of killing husband

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The trial resumes today.

YOUNGSTOWN — Opening statements from the defense and prosecution as well as testimony from the victim’s sister got under way Wednesday in the trial of a city woman accused of shooting her husband to death.

Monique Williams, 40, of Norwood Avenue, is on trial for murder before Judge John Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. She is defended by Atty. Thomas E. Zena.

Julius Williams, 44, was shot in the back at least twice in April 2008 at his North Side home and died later at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Dawn Cantalamessa, an assistant county prosecutor, told members of the jury that Williams’ death was a deliberate act by his wife.

“The defendant purposely caused the death of Julius Williams that night. She shot him once then shot him again,” she said. “She shot a man in the back who was too drunk to walk, too drunk to stand up.”

Cantalamessa said the shooting was the culmination of a tumultuous relationship between the couple. She said the Williamses had been drinking in excess for the entire day with Julius Williams passing out.

Cantalamessa told the jurors that at some point the couple scuffled, and Monique Williams went for a gun, ultimately shooting her husband in the back while he lay face-down on a floor in the home.

Prosecutors said she then told a 911 dispatcher that her husband shot himself. A recording of that 911 call was played for the jury.

Zena agreed the relationship in the Williams’ household was “tumultuous, abusive and very stormy” but contends that the events leading to the death of Julius Williams were different from the scenario detailed by prosecutors.

Zena said Julius Williams choked and tried to kill his wife on the night he was shot. He said Monique Williams shot her husband during a struggle to save her own life.

Reese Williams, younger sister of Julius Williams, was first to take the witness stand for the prosecution. She told the jury how her brother was one of 10 kids, the father of three and a generally nice man.

“He was the kind of person who always kept you laughing, helped you when you needed something — a good person,” she said.

She said the couple appeared to have a good marriage.

Under cross-examination from Zena, however, Reese Williams admitted that she did not spend a lot of time with her brother and his wife and did not spend a lot of time in their household. She also agreed that her brother was a tall, large man.

jgoodwin@vindy.com