From Geraldine Smith’s appeal:
On June 23, 1987, the victim, Valerie McDonald, was shot at point-blank range in the head. Two days later, she died as a result of the gunshot wound. The victim’s husband, Louia McDonald, and two daughters, LaChina and Lakeya, 16 and 8 years old, respectively, witnessed the shooting. The investigation of the shooting culminated in the arrest and indictment of the defendant, Geraldine Smith, who was revealed to be involved in an extramarital affair with the victim’s husband, Louia McDonald. Also arrested for their involvement in the shooting were defendant’s friend, Marva Golden, and the hired shooter, Eddie Williams. Golden subsequently pleaded guilty to first degree murder.
Testimony at defendant’s trial revealed the following. LaChina McDonald testified that on the night of the murder she and her sister, Lakeya, attended a church service with their mother, Valerie McDonald. Louia McDonald, the victim’s husband, picked the family up at church about 9:15 p.m. and drove home to their apartment building on North Winthrop Avenue in Chicago. As Louia circled the block looking for a parking space, LaChina noticed a man with a ponytail standing on the corner watching their car. Louia parked the car across the street from their building and the girls exited the vehicle, followed by Louia and their mother. As Louia and the girls entered the vestibule of the building, Valerie trailed behind on the front sidewalk. LaChina saw the man with the ponytail approach her mother and raise his hand towards her mother’s head. She then heard a gunshot and saw her mother collapse to the sidewalk. The man fired two shots towards the entrance of the building and then turned and fled south. As LaChina went to her mother, Louia ran after the man.
People v Williams 1994
People of the State of Illinois v Geraldine Smith 1997
Illinois Woman On Death Row
Movies/Documentaries
Deadly Women: Lover’s Revenge (2nd)
Defendants
Geraldine Smith – convicted, sentenced to death, overturned sentence, sentenced to life in prison, released on parole,
Eddie Williams – convicted, sentenced to death, overturned sentence, sentenced to natural life in prison
Marva Golden – pled guilty, sentenced to 20 years in prison
Geraldine Smith
INMATE INFORMATION
N33262 – WILLIAMS, EDDIE
Parent Institution: STATEVILLE CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Offender Status: IN CUSTODY
Location: STATEVILLE
PHYSICAL PROFILE
Date of Birth: 11/29/1957
Weight: 156 lbs.
Hair: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 5 ft. 11 in.
Race: Black
Eyes: Brown
MARKS, SCARS, & TATTOOS
SCAR, EYEBROW, RIGHT (EYE AREA – SCAR EYE, RIGHT
SCAR, CHIN – SCAR CHIN
SCAR, EAR, RIGHT – SCAR EAR, RIGHT
SCAR, ARM, LEFT – SCAR ARM, LEFT
TATTOO, ARM, LEFT UPPER – CROSSED PITCHFORKS
ADMISSION / RELEASE / DISCHARGE INFO
Admission Date: 12/01/1989
Last Paroled Date:
Projected Discharge Date: INELIGIBLE
SENTENCING INFORMATION
MITTIMUS: 87CR987001
CLASS: M
COUNT: 1
OFFENSE: MURDER/INTENT TO KILL/INJURE
CUSTODY DATE: 06/26/1987
SENTENCE: LIFE
COUNTY: COOK
SENTENCE DISCHARGED?: NO
MITTIMUS: 824339
CLASS: 1
COUNT: 1
OFFENSE: VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER (PRIOR TO 7/1/87)
CUSTODY DATE: 05/05/1982
SENTENCE: 10 Years 0 Months 0 Days
COUNTY: COOK
SENTENCE DISCHARGED?: YES
