Jaylin Jenae Williams, a 24-year-old African American woman from Peoria, Illinois, tragically lost her life on September 22, 2019. Jaylin was found dead from a gunshot wound on the front porch of a residence on West Starr Street in Peoria. The incident occurred shortly after 12:20 p.m., and Peoria police officers responded to the scene following reports of a fight. An autopsy confirmed that Jaylin died from the gunshot wound, and her death marked the city's twentieth homicide of 2019.
Jaylin was 12-13 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The Peoria County Coroner, Jamie Harwood, confirmed the pregnancy, but a death certificate for the baby was not filed due to the gestation period being less than the age of viability. Jaylin's death was a devastating loss for her family, including her parents, Kimberly Williams and Henry Mayfield, her daughter, Kimoni Bird, and her siblings.
Two individuals were indicted in connection with Jaylin's death. Denise L. Williams, a 26-year-old woman, faced first-degree murder charges, while Montaye L. Phifer was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon. The altercation that led to Jaylin's death reportedly stemmed from a dispute about a relationship involving Phifer. Jaylin had come to Phifer's home, where she found Denise Williams, and an argument ensued. During the confrontation, Jaylin was shot while on the front porch.
Denise Williams was later convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Jaylin. The jury found that Denise believed she had to use deadly force, but that belief was deemed unreasonable. As a result, Denise was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The case highlighted the complexities of self-defense claims and the emotional impact of Jaylin's death on her family and the community. Montaye Phifer's case, related to his possession of a weapon, remained pending at the time of Denise's sentencing.
