Home invasion and involuntary manslaughter charges in La Salle death investigation

A weak heart could be saving a La Salle man from murder charges.

21-year-old Darnell Williams is charged with involuntary manslaughter and home invasion. He’s accused of breaking down the door of his mother’s home on Seventh Street in La Salle Saturday morning that she shared with her husband, 47-year-old Mark Jonas. La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says Williams was there to get his mom to sign over a car title.

What happened instead was a scuffle between Williams and Jonas in which Williams allegedly hit Jonas with a plastic shovel, gas can and a rock. Jonas was found unresponsive by police outside the home and was rushed to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru where he died. Williams allegedly put up a fight with officers before getting arrested at the scene.

An autopsy was done Sunday and Dr. Scott Denton says Jonas died of a heart attack. He says the scuffle caused stress leading to the heart attack. Jonas had several prior heart attacks and had a short time to live even before the fight according to Denton.

The home invasion charge is a Class X felony carrying up to 30 years and is not eligible for probation. Involuntary manslaughter is a Class 2 felony which could mean up to 14 years in prison. A Class 2 charge is eligible for probation.

Towne doesn’t believe Williams knew Jonas had heart problems. Another reason for Towne not seeking murder charges is Williams has no prior criminal record.

Williams is being held at the La Salle County Jail on a million dollars bond. He’s due in court with a public defender Thursday morning.

Another storm for Northeast U. S.

The latest winter storm to sock New England is adding dangerously high winds to the heavy snow falling across a region that has already seen 6 feet of snow in some spots.

The National Weather Service says a half-foot of snow fell across a wide area overnight Saturday, with the Massachusetts coastal community of Ipswich getting 20 inches. But Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says high tide wasn’t as severe as anticipated and there are no reports of major flooding.

Help to meet Healthcare deadline

Sunday is the last day of open enrollment under the “Affordable Health Care Act”. The Youth Service Bureau is offering help Sunday night 6 and 12 midnight at 12 Gunia Drive in north LaSalle. Trained navigators offer free help to anyone needing to get through the entire process.

It’s being held in conjunction with the Bureau and Putnam County Health Departments. According to Federal officials, an earlier technical problem interfering with sign-ups for the healthcare program has been fixed. You can see more at get covered illinois.gov.