Victim Shot 52 Times–Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide

By Kiliane Gateau [former] - March 14, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 14, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator of a 2022 homicide in which the victim was shot 52 times. 

Wonell Jones Jr., 36 is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 33-year-old Audora Williams. The incident occurred on July 19, 2022 on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. 

According to court documents, Jones and Williams were in an intimate relationship. The records say Jones has a history of violence and made numerous threats to Williams before she was killed.

Prosecutors called the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective on the case who discussed his involvement in the investigation. 

According to the detective, when he arrived at the location, Williams was seen lying on a bedroom floor where the shooting occurred, with two firearms near the victim. Crime scene images, displayed to the court by the prosecution, corroborated the detective’s testimony. 

According to the affidavit, a silver and black semi-automatic handgun and a 40 caliber handgun  were found at the scene. 

When asked about the status of the guns, the detective stated that neither contained any bullets or magazines, further implying that both guns were used and emptied during the shooting. 

The detective also stated that William’s autopsy reflected that the victim sustained 52 gunshot wounds and that the cause of death was a homicide. 

The prosecution proceeded to show Jones’ mugshot to the detective and asked whether it was the image shown to an underaged witness at the scene, who identified Jones as the father, which the detective confirmed. 

According to the prosecution, during the witness’ interview with MPD, the person stated, “This is my father Wonell Jones. He is the one who did it.”

The prosecution presented an audio recording of a phone call between a negotiator from the crisis intervention team and Jones after the shooting, where Jones indicated that he had gotten into an argument with Williams. In the phone call, Jones is heard telling the negotiator that he would only turn himself in if Williams was alive. 

 “I should have never gotten that angry; if she is not alive I am going to kill myself. Please tell me if she is alive and fighting, I will only turn myself in if she is alive,” Jones is allegedly heard in the recording. 

The detective affirmed that Jones never turned himself in, and was arrested onAug. 29, 2022, pursuant to a warrant. 

During cross-examination, Jones’ defense attorney, Carrie Weletz, argued that the shooting occurred behind closed doors and that there was no actual witness to the crime. 

The detective agreed, but children present at the home reportedly saw Jones entering and exiting the bedroom before and after the shooting. 

She also mentioned that the detective did not directly talk to Jones’ child who identified him as the alleged shooter, and that the child made that statement to another officer who informed the detective, as opposed to being told by the witness. 

Weletz also said the MPD asssumed Jones was a suspect, as an earlier detective on the scene had called Jones for him to turn himself in. 

The detective stated that an officer prior to his arrival was conducting some investigations and was able to obtain Jones’ information from a previous police report filed by Williams against Jones. 

The detective claimed that when he arrived he was informed by the officer that Jones wanted to speak to him, and that he identified himself and said he wanted to kill himself. 

“I never told him that he was a suspect. He made me believe that he was a witness based on some statements he made during our phone call,” said the detective. 

Weletz argued that a 911 call was conducted by a neighbor after being alerted by the children who were present when the shooting happened. 

She mentioned that the caller had provided a description of an individual wearing gray pants and a black sweatshirt exiting the building, but there wasn’t any video surveillance that showed an individual wearing those clothes exiting the building. 

“You do not have any video evidence that showcases an individual with a black sweat shirt and gray pants exiting that building,” said Weletz, which the detective confirmed. 

In re-direct, the detective told the prosecution that he was made aware by Jones’ child, who identified him as the shooter, that Jones had taken Williams’ phone after the shooting. The prosecution also mentioned that the defendant was seen entering and exiting the room in between the shooting, arguing that it further indicated it was premeditated. 

The prosecution argued that probable cause should be established against the defendant based on previous protection orders filed by Williams against Jones, witness testimony identifying him as the shooter, and a recorded phone call indicating an altercation occurred on the day of the shooting.

Weletz argued that there was insufficient evidence to establish probable cause, citing that the only identification came from Jones’ child, who did not witness the shooting. She also noted that while Jones admitted to harming Williams, he did not confess to her murder.

Judge Raffinan countered that Jones’ presence at the scene was confirmed by statements he made during the phone call. She pointed out that his remarks about the incident aligned with evidence of his involvement, supporting the witness’ account of his presence, even if he did not explicitly admit to killing Williams.

Judge Raffinan determined probable cause for first-degree murder based on the 52 gunshot wounds sustained by Williams and the deliberate pauses during the shooting, indicating premeditation. Additionally, Judge Raffinan emphasized that Jones’ mental health issues did not excuse his actions.

“From the information from the affidavit, I am aware that he was undergoing mental health issues. However, it does not justify the horrific shooting that took place,” said Judge Raffinan.

Following the hearing, Williams’ relative told D.C. Witness that Jones had previously caused severe injuries to Williams, leading to her undergoing a hysterectomy. Additionally, they highlighted Jones’ history of abuse towards Williams and their children. The family expressed satisfaction with the judge’s ruling on probable cause and decision to continue holding Jones.

The parties are set to reconvene May 16.