COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An alleged gang-banger accused in the shooting death of 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins will remain behind bars to await trial, a Cook County Judge said Thursday.
Koman Willis, 33, was charged last week with first-degree murder in the slaying of Jonylah, fatally shot on March 11 while in the care of her father, who police said was targeted for stealing a PlayStation game console belonging to the alleged shooter.
On Thursday, Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois ordered Willis held without bail.
The bullet that struck Jonylah in the left armpit ripped through her torso. She died at Comer Children's Hospital. Jonylah's father, Jonathan Watkins, survived three gunshot wounds.
Willis, who has been arrested 38 times and is a documented gang member, also was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, police said.
In laying out the allegations against Willis, prosecutors said last week that Jonylah's father was changing her diaper in a van in the 5600 block of South Maryland Avenue and "lifted Jonylah up to kiss her" when Willis approached and started shooting.
They said witnesses heard gunshots and saw a man dart into a van parked in a nearby alley. The getaway vehicle sped north toward 63rd Street and then east.
Chicago Police "blue light" surveillance cameras captured video of a Chrysler Town & Country van owned by Willis' girlfriend, Kent said. Right after the shooting, Willis allegedly arranged to hide the van in a friend's garage.
Willis appeared in court for a bond hearing on May 28.
Arguing that he had not had the opportunity to review the case against Willis, his attorney, Robert Fisher, asked that the hearing be postponed.
A Cook County judge temporarily ordered him held without bail at the attorney's request.
But on Thursday, at his rescheduled bond hearing, Bourgeois said Willis would remain behind bars.
Willis, who goes by the name "Ko Killer" on the street, has a criminal record that includes arrests dating back to 1998.
He was charged with attempted murder of a police officer with a firearm in 2002. Willis pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and other lesser charges in that case and was sentenced to three years in prison.
