A Florida man who stabbed his wife nearly 20 times in front of their teenage son could now be sentenced to death after a jury overwhelmingly recommended his execution.
Jermaine Mandell Williams Sr., 54, was convicted of first-degree murder in the Aug. 2, 2024, killing of his wife, 50-year-old Yolonda Williams.
A Flagler County jury deliberated for less than two hours Wednesday before voting 11-1 to recommend the death penalty, according to court records.
The decision came nearly two years after prosecutors said Williams chased his wife into the street outside their home and repeatedly stabbed her with an 8-inch chef’s knife as their 14-year-old son watched in horror and tried to help.
The brutal attack only ended when Williams’ own father arrived, pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot his son unless he stopped.
By then, Yolonda had been stabbed between 19 and 20 times.
Much of the horrifying violence was captured by surveillance cameras near the couple’s home on South Pine Street.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Williams and Yolonda were arguing outside the house shortly after 8 a.m. when he briefly walked back inside.
Video reportedly showed him emerging moments later with the large kitchen knife before chasing Yolonda into the street and attacking her.
Witnesses heard Yolonda screaming for help as neighbors rushed toward the scene.
One person told investigators that Williams continued stabbing his wife even as people nearby shouted at him to stop.
Williams eventually paused and allegedly declared, “I’m tired of this s—,” according to the affidavit.
Another witness said he heard yelling outside and found Yolonda lying in the roadway. Nearby, Williams was allegedly still holding the blood-covered knife while his father pointed a gun directly at him.
Williams’ father told investigators that he saw his son repeatedly stabbing Yolonda and warned that he would shoot if he did not stop.
Police arrived moments later and took Williams into custody.
Emergency crews rushed Yolonda to AdventHealth Palm Coast, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
After waiving his Miranda rights, Williams admitted that he had gone into the kitchen, retrieved the knife and attacked his wife, authorities said.
He told detectives that the couple had been arguing for weeks and that he had been sleeping in his truck in the driveway.
On the morning of the murder, Williams claimed he went inside hoping to reconcile with Yolonda before she left for work.
Instead, he said, she rejected him and allegedly mocked him by saying something similar to, “Poor Jermaine, do you want me to play you a violin?”
Williams told investigators that the remark pushed him “over the edge” and made him feel as though he had nothing left to live for.
He then walked into the kitchen, opened a drawer and took out the knife.
Williams initially claimed that he “blacked out” during the attack. However, he reportedly told detectives that Yolonda would not have suffered any injuries other than the stab wounds.
Medical evidence later revealed the savage extent of the assault.
Prosecutors said Yolonda suffered 19 to 20 stab wounds and desperately fought for her life, at one point grabbing the knife blade as her husband attacked her.
When first responders arrived, she repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe,” before telling a paramedic that she believed she was going to die, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Jurors found Williams guilty of first-degree murder on July 17 before returning their recommendation that he be put to death.
“One step closer to making justice a reality for Yolonda Williams, her family and the citizens of the 7th Circuit,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said after the jury announced its decision.
“We will continue our pursuit of the death penalty in this case and our support for the victim’s family.”
The jury’s recommendation does not automatically mean Williams will be executed.
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols will make the final decision on whether he receives the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The judge must give the jury’s recommendation significant weight but is not legally required to follow it. Sentencing is expected after a Spencer hearing scheduled for Aug. 3.
Blacks, ‘nuf said….