76-year-old convicted of killing 29-year-old ex in front of kids, CA officials say
A man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend after she rejected his romantic advances has been convicted, California prosecutors say.
Martin Williams, 76, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Latashanay Jones, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office said in a May 9 news release.
Williams pleaded not guilty in the 29-year-old’s death at his arraignment in October 2023, KGET reported.
“Not only has an innocent life been violently taken, but the children forced to witness this crime will carry the trauma with them for years,” Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel said in the release.
Jones was inside her Bakersfield home on Jan. 17, 2022, when Williams entered, prosecutors said.
With at least two minors present, Williams fired a gun and shot Jones multiple times in her stomach and back, prosecutors said.
“Jones’ boyfriend and a neighbor rushed her to the hospital,” prosecutors said.
Over the next year, Jones underwent “countless surgeries and procedures in an attempt to save her life,” according to prosecutors.
However, she died from her wounds on Jan. 22, 2023, prosecutors said.
Keishonia Pollard, Jones’s sister, told KGET her sister “could still be here.”
“You can’t force anyone to be with you,” Pollard told the TV station.
Williams and Jones were once romantically involved, but Jones ended their relationship, prosecutors said.
In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Williams tried calling Jones, prosecutors said.
Jones, though, didn’t answer his calls and “made it clear that she was not interested in his romantic pursuits,” prosecutors said.
Williams was previously convicted of assault with a deadly weapon after he was accused of attacking a girlfriend in 2011, prosecutors said.
“Williams had a history of violence against women which escalated ultimately into this unprovoked murder,” Kinzel said in the release.
In addition to murder, a jury also found Williams guilty of “attempted murder causing great bodily injury or death, assault with a deadly weapon, first degree burglary, domestic violence, and felon in possession of a gun,” according to prosecutors.
“Williams’ crimes warrant the multiple life sentences that he will most certainly receive at sentencing,” Kinzel said.
Williams is scheduled to appear in court June 26 for sentencing and “faces up to 80 years to life in prison,” prosecutors said.
Bakersfield is about a 110-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM with the headline "76-year-old convicted of killing 29-year-old ex in front of kids, CA officials say."
