KILLER OF THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH

JURY SAYS WILLIS SHOULD DIE BY LETHAL INJECTION

ATLANTA – After a seven week trial in which a jury found Demetrius G. Willis guilty for the murders of Jerry Williams, Sr., Talisa Hankins and their son, Jerry Williams, Jr., the same jury has now sentenced him to death in the brutal slayings.

On June 28, 2004, Willis entered the home of his former girlfriend, Talisa Hankins, and her current boyfriend, Jerry Williams, Sr. The defendant shot 31 year old Williams, Sr. three times in the head as he slept on the couch. Hankins, age 24, was shot as she tried to jump out of the window. Their three year old son, Jerry Williams, Jr was also shot in the head. The defendant then proceeded to shoot a ten year old and five year old child, both whom survived the shooting. The ten year old is the daughter of Willis and Hankins.

A friend of Willis who accompanied him to the home, but remained in the car, told authorities that Willis walked into the home, shot the victims and calmly walked back to the car with blood on his shirt and the pistol in his hand. Willis then told his friend, “I believe that they are all dead”. Blood from two of the victims was found on Willis’ jeans and sneakers. Upon being arrested, the first thing that Willis asked authorities was if his daughter had identified him.

This death penalty verdict follows two previous death penalty verdicts obtained during D.A. Paul L. Howard, Jr.’s tenure in office. Gregory Lawler was sentenced to death March 3, 2000 for the shooting death of Atlanta Police Officer John Sowa. Atlanta Police Officer Patricia Coccciolone was also shot during the incident. DeKelvin Martin was sentenced to death on January 6, 2005 for the stabbing deaths of his ex-girlfriend Savion Wright and her parents Travis and Ila Ivery.

Superior Court Judge Connie Russell presided over the Willis case. It was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shondeana Morris and Peter Johnson. DA Paul L. Howard, Jr. says “This conviction and death sentence sends a clear message that the citizens of Fulton County are fed up with violent crime, and it also means that the citizens of this county will not allow the brutal death of a child to go unpunished!” Lead Detectives on the case were Detectives F. Lupo and M. Cooper of the Atlanta Police Department. The case was investigated by Inv. Curtis Young and Inv. Steve Barresi of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Investigations Unit.

Media Contact: Shelia Edwards, 404-730-4867/404-392-8867, shelia.edwards@fultoncountyga.gov