Both parties presented their closing arguments for a domestic violence related fatal shooting case before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on July 15.
Wonell Jones Jr., 38, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Audora Williams on July 19, 2022, at 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.
Medical examiners stated in their records that Williams sustained 52 gunshot wounds or defects. Williams and Jones shared two children.
According to prosecutors, Williams got custody of their two shared children a few days before her death.
The prosecution began their closing arguments by clicking a pen to illustrate the number of gunshots they claim Jones fired. They added that Williams was “stuck in a corner” and her blood was “staining the walls.”
Prosecutors highlighted that two different guns were found at the scene that were emptied of ammunition. They claimed that the guns stopped firing because “they couldn’t” anymore.
In May 2022, Williams filed a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and a Civil Protective Order (CPO) against Jones, according to prosecutors. Jones was ordered to stay away and not contact her, said prosecutors. After Williams asked for help by filing the TPO and CPO, Jones reportedly broke into her apartment.
Jones “does not care about what the law says he should or should not do,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors classified their relationship as a “cycle of violence.” They urged the jury to consider how the situation would have ended if Williams had called the police when Jones came to her apartment the day of her death.
The prosecution played surveillance videos from outside Williams’ apartment building in addition to the stairwell and hallway inside the building. The prosecution alleged that this footage shows that Jones was the only possible suspect because he is recorded entering Williams’ apartment on the day of the incident. Prosecutors emphasized Williams and Jones were the only two adults in the apartment, with eight children.
In order to prove Jones committed first-degree murder while armed, prosecutors had to prove that there was premeditation. According to prosecutors, “each and every time he pulled that trigger he made that choice.”
Jones’ attorney, Steven Kiersh, asserted that Jones “is not guilty of first-degree murder.” He emphasized that the lesser-included charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the jury instructions contain “really important distinctions.”
Kiersh emphasized that the surveillance footage displayed Jones walking into the apartment with Williams’ child and groceries. He asked the jury if this showed that “he was planning this murder” and asserted “there is no premeditation.”
According to Kiersh, Williams and Jones lived together for at least two weeks prior to the murder, so he was not a danger to her. Kiersh highlighted that Williams’ room was messy, and implied that “something happened in that room.”
Kiersh stated that no witness reported seeing Jones with a gun. However, Kirsh noted that Williams’ son testified in the trial that he saw Jones holding something that appeared to be a gun. In 2024, Kiersh emphasized that the son testified before a grand jury, and did not mention seeing Jones with a gun.
Kiersh stated, “He was impeached by his contradiction.”
Additionally, Kiersh asserted that the prior arguments between Williams and Jones were not violent unless infidelity was mentioned. He characterized the argument as “a heat of passion.”
Both parties agreed that this was a tragic event, but Kiersh reminded the jury that the case is not to be decided based on emotions.
Kiersh clarified that, if the jury did find that Jones fired the shots, “it’s manslaughter,” not murder.
During rebuttal, prosecutors clarified that Jones had “plenty of time to develop…that decision to kill” Williams. They pointed out that, if the jury accepts the defense’s argument, they are “left with the conclusion that Ms. Williams shot herself over 20 times.”
The prosecution stated that there was no evidence that Williams cheated on Jones. They also claimed that “words, no matter how offensive, are not adequate provocation” for murder.
Prosecutors asserted that convicting Jones of manslaughter would allow him an “excuse” for his crime.
After closings, Kiersh filed a motion for judgement of acquittal, which Judge Ryan denied. Kiersh also filed for a mistrial, characterizing the prosecutor’s claim that a conviction of manslaughter would be excusing him as “utterly incorrect.”
Judge Ryan said he would address that during jury instructions, but Kiersh said that was not an “adequate” remedy.
Judge Ryan said there was not a “basis” to grant the motion for a mistrial.
The jurors then began deliberations.
Parties are slated to reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.
