A man has been sentenced for fatally shooting a Tacoma mother whose body was discovered outside a church last year.
Darius Hammond, 31, was found guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm in the Oct. 23, 2023, killing of Jadell Williams, records show. Williams died from a gunshot wound to the neck in the 3900 block of North Pearl Street, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Angelica Williams sentenced Hammond to 39 years in prison on Friday. He is also required to pay $7,990 in restitution to the Crime Victims Compensation, records show.
Hammond reportedly had a prior relationship with Williams, who filed domestic-violence reports against him. The day before the murder, prosecutors wrote that Hammond threatened to "smoke" Williams or her family before convincing her to come over to his house.
Hammond has 11 prior felony convictions, including one for second-degree assault from 2020, according to court records.
Williams's best friend wrote in a statement to the court that the victim was a mother to her 2-year-old son.
"The most heart breaking and gut wrenching moment I have ever witnessed is seeing [Williams' son] follow behind his mother's coffin ... saying bye momma," a victim impact statement said.
Williams was found unresponsive lying in a field near a church about 7:30 a.m. the day of the shooting. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police identified her through a card card in Williams' pocket, charging documents show.
Surveillance video viewed by detectives showed Williams carrying a duffel bag prior to the murder. She was followed closely by Hammond around 5:12 a.m. They kept walking until they were out of the camera's frame. About 5:28 a.m., Hammond was seen walking north past the gas station and carrying the same duffel, documents show.
Hammond was located at his mother's home and arrested that afternoon. He confirmed to detectives that he had a sexual relationship with Williams during the summer. Hammond was reportedly wearing the same colored jeans and similar looking shoes from the camera footage, prosecutors wrote.
The duffel bag was located at Hammond's mother's home following a search. The bag contained Williams' wallet with her ID card and a sweatshirt similar to the one Hammond was wearing in the footage.
Hammond submitted a motion in December 2023 in a bid to represent himself in the criminal case instead of using an attorney. The Court granted Hammond's motion and did not appoint stand-by counsel, records show. A defense attorney was later appointed to facilitate Hammond's access to electronic discovery in the case while he was in custody.
Hammond's father wrote to the court that he was concerned that Hammond was representing himself, saying that his son suffers from mental illness and that he was not competent, records show. His father wrote to the court over three times stating his concerns and submitted Hammond's medical records.
Hammond's father also requested that his son have a mental health evaluation before his trial. A mental health evaluation was not requested or ordered.
Williams' sister wrote in a statement that the homicide has had a "profound and irreparable" impact on their family and community.
"Jadell also was big hearted and never saw the bad in a person. My sister won't be here for anymore of her son's birthdays or accomplishments in his life going forward," the statement said.
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