Father Sentenced for the Murder of His Two Year Old Daughter

August 2, 2024, Peoria, IL- Today, in an emotional hearing, Shamari R. Williams, 27, was sentenced to 70 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for murdering his two-year-old daughter, Emorri Green, in early 2022. During today's sentencing, a forensic pathologist testified that Emorri had patterned bruising and abrasions consistent with abuse all over her face, chest, and torso. Many of these bruises were overlapping injuries and had a rectangular pattern consistent with the use of a belt. Emorri had several internal injuries, including bleeding on her brain, lacerations to her liver, and contusions on her lungs and pancreas. When interviewed by police, Williams said that he had spanked the child 15-20 times with a belt for urinating on the living room couch. The pathologist refuted that statement, saying Emorri's internal injuries could have only been caused by a significant amount of force like a punch or a kick.

During today's sentencing hearing, while holding up a smiling picture of Emorri, her mother bravely addressed Williams, calling him pathetic and stating that Emorri did not deserve such betrayal from the person who was supposed to protect and love her. In arguing for the maximum sentence, Assistant State's Attorney Donna Cruz argued that Emorri's last moments were a nightmare and caused by her father.

Chief Judge Katherine Gorman called this one of the saddest cases she had ever seen and, as she imposed her sentence, told Williams, "To say you failed is an understatement."

In May, Williams pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder and will have to serve 100% of his sentence.

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