Mathis Trial Begins
"Shots fired! Shots fired! Shots fired!"
Body cam footage from Macomb police officers taking the stand Tuesday on the first day of the Shaking Mathis trial showed the chaos of the scene on Sept. 4, 2024 at 309 N. Normal St. as officers were attempting to serve a search warrant.
Mathis, 40, allegedly shot Severs and McLaughlin who were trying to serve a search warrant in connection with a reported sexual assault that same day. Following extensive negotiations and a 20-hour standoff with law enforcement, Mathis, of 309 N. Normal St., surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody around 2:30 p.m. Sept. 5. He has been pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated battery to a police officer, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon, and requested a jury trial.
Taking the stand Tuesday were Macomb Police Department (MPD) officers Jordan Hawes, J.P. McLaughlin, Korri Cameron, Brendon Lopina, Kenneth Bergren, Bryce Herrick and Todd Tedrow, along with former MPD officers Nick Severs, now with the Illinois State Police, and Kyle Protsman, now with the Bushnell Police Department. Judge Nigel Graham is presiding, with assistant state's attorney Susan Maxwell representing the prosecution. Michael A. Jarard of the Jarard Law Group LLC of Chicago servin as Mathis' attorney.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25, with an eight woman and a six man jury (two jurors serve as alternates) present.
