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Woman’s trial in 2008 death of husband goes to jury today
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ON TRIAL: Monique Williams of Youngstown sits at the defendant’s table in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. She is on trial in the death of her husband, Julius. Seated next to her Thursday was her lawyer, Atty. Thomas E. Zena.
Monique Williams is accused of shooting her husband in the back at least twice.
YOUNGSTOWN — A jury is to begin deliberations today in the trial of a woman accused of shooting her husband to death in 2008.
Monique Williams, 40, of Norwood Avenue, is on trial for murder. 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.
The case is before Judge John Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Williams is defended by attorneys Thomas E. Zena and Holly Hanni-Ferraro.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to give closing statements early today. The jury of seven men and five women is to begin deliberations before noon.
Prosecutors presented their case against Williams with a list of witnesses including police, forensics experts, 911 operators and the victim’s younger sister. The defense presented only one witness Thursday: the Williamses’ adult daughter.
Janay Williams offered 90 minutes of testimony just before the defense rested its case. The woman offered candid testimony about her parents and what life was like in the Williams household.
Janay Willams said her immediate family had little problems until alcohol entered the family equation.
“We were an all-right family and everything until the drinking started, until they started drinking. They would be arguing and fighting,” Janay Williams told the court about her parents. “Sometimes they would pass out.”
She said trouble would begin for everyone, including the three Williams children, when Julius and Monique Williams would begin drinking.
Referring to the day of the shooting, Janay Williams said she remembers her parents drinking and the exchange of less-than-complimentary words before Janay left the home. By the time she returned home, her mother was sitting in the rear of a Youngstown cruiser, and her father was dead.
Janay Williams also testified that her parents kept all the doors locked from the inside and barred as well as a firearm in close proximity. She said her parents were convinced that someone was trying to do the family harm.
“Whatever room they were in, they sat it [the firearm] down,” Janay Williams said. “The gun was like a part of our family because they thought someone was trying to hurt us.”
Prosecutors contend that Monique Williams purposely shot her husband in the back at least twice while he lay face-down and intoxicated on the floor of their home. They said the act was deliberate.
Monique Williams has contended that she shot her husband in self-defense, fearing for her own life and safety.
jgoodwin@vindy.com