Detroit Police Sgt. Elaine Williams,
Eddie Ray-Jr. Johnson entered a plea agreement Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court in the fatal shooting of his live-in partner, Detroit Police Sgt. Elaine Williams, 34, in June 2019 in Garden City.
Authorities determined she was shot at home with her own service gun, and that he suffered a gunshot wound during a domestic dispute.
Under his plea of "no contest" for manslaughter, Johnson, will get three years’ probation, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said. Any violation of his probation will result in up to 15 years in prison. "No contest" means a defendant accepts the conviction, but does not admit guilt.
Authorities said that the couple had gone out to a bar for drinks on June 2, 2019, and returned home, where neighbors heard them aruging. One person heard gunshots.
Garden City police responded to the shooting in the 200 block of Belton around 11:45 p.m. and saw Johnson outside of the home, suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. They then went inside and found the lifeless body of his girlfriend, Sgt. Williams, who had been shot multiple times.
Police found eight 40 caliber shell casings inside the home near the girlfriend's body that came from a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol that was issued to her by the Detroit Police Department.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Garden City Police interviewed the boyfriend in his recovery bed after surgery at Oakwood Hospital. He said he shot Williams during a struggle after she shot him once.
He was originally charged first-degree murder and felony firearm. It was later reduced to manslaughter. The gun charge was dropped.
“I take all domestic violence cases very seriously. I also take my role as Prosecutor very seriously," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a statement. "The evidence was carefully considered by three veteran assistant prosecutors and myself. In this case, where both parties were shot with the same gun, the order of events is open to multiple interpretations.
"Considering our burden of proof, we believe this is an appropriate resolution. The decision to offer this plea to this defendant was not what we wanted to do, but it was the just thing to do,” said Prosecutor Worthy.
Sentencing is set for June 14.
