William James Flip Williams Jr.
Overview
William James Flip Williams Jr., also known as Willie Williams, was a violent Ohio criminal who was convicted of four aggravated murders committed in Youngstown, Ohio, in September 1991. Although he is sometimes described as a suspected serial killer because investigators believed he may have been connected to other killings, his confirmed convictions were for a single quadruple murder connected to control of the local drug trade. The murders took place in Mahoning County, Ohio, and centered on Williams's attempt to regain dominance in the drug market around the Kimmelbrooks housing project in east Youngstown.
Williams was born on November 9, 1956, in Youngstown, Ohio. By the time of the 1991 murders, he had a long criminal history and had spent time away from the area. When he returned to Youngstown, he found that several people had taken over parts of the drug trade he had once controlled. Prosecutors later argued that this was the motive behind the killings: Williams wanted to rob and eliminate rivals so he could reassert power.
Victims
- Alfonda R. Madison Sr. Died September 2, 1991, in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Madison was one of the men Williams believed had taken over drug activity in the Kimmelbrooks housing project area. The murders began at Madison's home, where he was bound, gagged, and later killed.
- William L. Dent Died September 2, 1991, in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Dent was lured to Madison's home during the crime. Prosecutors described him as one of the men Williams targeted because of the drug trade dispute.
- Eric Howard Died September 2, 1991, in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Howard arrived at Madison's home with William Dent and was ambushed along with him. He was also one of the men connected to the local drug trade that Williams wanted to control.
- Theodore Wynn Jr. Died September 2, 1991, in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Wynn was a recently discharged Air Force sergeant who came to Madison's home looking for Madison and Howard. He was not the original target of the plan, but Williams believed Wynn could identify those involved, so he was held and killed with the others.
Planning the Murders
Before the killings, Williams recruited three juvenile accomplices: Jessica M. Cherry, Dominic M. Cherry, and Broderick Boone. Jessica Cherry was Williams's sixteen-year-old girlfriend. Dominic Cherry was Jessica's brother, and Broderick Boone was described as Dominic's close friend or cousin. Williams gave the juveniles weapons and used them as part of a planned invasion of Madison's home.
The plan was calculated rather than spontaneous. Williams bought walkie-talkies, batteries, and duct tape in advance. He also drew diagrams of Madison's house and explained the plan to the others. The group tested the walkie-talkies before the crime. These details later became important evidence because they showed preparation, coordination, and intent.
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