Mathis Trial Day 2: August 26
On the second day of the trial of Shaking Mathis, the man accused of shooting two Macomb police officers on Sept. 4, 2024 as they attempted to serve a warrant at Mathis' Normal Street residence, jurors heard from members of the Illinois State Police. The ISP and its SWAT team took over the scene following the shooting.
Special Agent Andrew Smith took the stand first, outlining his role as the negotiator during the 20+ hour standoff between officers and Mathis. Under oath, Smith testified that Mathis had shared with him that he was armed and that he had shot the officers in self-defense as he did not know who they were and who was entering his home.
Other witnesses called Wednesday included Adam Bowers and Michael Higgins of the ISP SWAT Team. Both men explained how the team used various tactics, in addition to Smith's negotiations and periodic contact with Mathis, in an attempt to get the subject to exit the dwelling. The team attempted to breach the home around 3:20 a.m. Sept. 5 using a ram on the armored vehicle; however, according to Bowers' testimony, they were met with gunfire and pulled back. Non-lethal gas was also deployed within the residence during the standoff, Higgins explained.
Higgins took Mathis into custody following the standoff, and led the team in searching the home following the incident. Additional witnesses included ISP Special Agent James Wheelan, who transported Mathis to the McDonough County Jail, and ISP Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Jeff Thew, who led the investigation of the scene following Mathis' arrest and the collection of evidence.
The trial resumes at 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, with the eight woman-six man jury (two alternates) present.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., Wednesday, Aug. 26, with an eight woman and a six man jury (two jurors serve as alternates) present.
