Life Without Parole For Clayton Man Who Killed Girlfriend, Shot Her Son

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A Clayton man charged with killing his girlfriend and wounding her teenage son during a domestic violence incident has pleaded guilty and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

On July 9, Jerry Ross Williams pleaded guilty in Johnston County Superior Court to first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Superior Court Judge Vince Rozier sentenced Williams to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The charges stemmed from the early morning hours of March 14, when Johnston County deputies responded to a 911 hang-up call at a home on Valleyfield Drive off N.C. 42 East near Clayton.

As deputies attempted to make contact with someone inside the residence, they heard multiple gunshots.

Authorities said Williams fatally shot his girlfriend, 41-year-old Princess Russell, before turning the gun on her 18-year-old son, Zykeith Shaw.

Despite suffering gunshot wounds, Shaw managed to escape by jumping from a second-story window. Deputies immediately rendered aid until Johnston County EMS arrived. Shaw survived the shooting.

Shaw told deputies his mother had been shot and remained inside the home with Williams.

Following a brief standoff, deputies took Williams into custody without further incident. When deputies entered the residence, they found Russell dead.

Investigators said a 10-year-old girl, identified as Williams’ daughter, was also inside the home during the shooting but was not injured.

Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller said the case reached a resolution just four months after the homicide through the work of investigators and prosecutors.

“Although this tragedy occurred only four months ago, the case was brought to a successful conclusion through the outstanding work of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office,” Waller said in a statement.

According to District Attorney Waller, Williams accepted a sentence of life without parole instead of facing a capital murder trial where prosecutors could have sought the death penalty.

“Williams elected to accept a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole rather than risk the possibility of a capital trial and potential death sentence,” Waller said.

“This plea ensures that Jerry Ross Williams will spend the rest of his life in prison. While no sentence can ever restore the life that was taken or erase the trauma inflicted on this family, we hope today’s resolution provides them with a measure of justice and allows them to begin moving forward. Our thoughts remain with the family of the victim as they continue to grieve this unimaginable loss.”

Waller also emphasized his office’s commitment to prosecuting violent offenders.

“The Johnston County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with the Sheriff’s Office and all law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable. The swift resolution of this case reflects the strength of that partnership and our shared commitment to justice for victims.”