Jury Hears from Officers, ISP Negotiator, Forensics Experts
Editor’s Note: At press time Thursday, Aug. 27, the trial of a Macomb man accused of shooting two Macomb police officers nearly two years ago continued. The Community News Brief will bring the complete story, including the verdict, at the trial’s completion
Shaking Mathis told a state police negotiator he shot two Macomb officers in self-defense because he didn't know who was entering his home, according to testimony Wednesday during the second day of his trial.
Mathis, 40, is accused of shooting Macomb Police Department officers Nick Severs, now with the Illinois State Police (ISP), and J.P.
McLaughlin Sept. 4, 2024, as they attempted to serve a search warrant at his Normal Street residence in connection with a reported sexual assault. He has 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.
Special Agent Andrew Smith of the Illinois State Police took the stand first Wednesday, testifying about his role as negotiator during the 20-plus-hour standoff that followed the shooting.
Smith said Mathis told him during negotiations that he was armed and had fired on the officers as he didn't know who was attempting to enter his residence.
The ISP SWAT team, which took over the scene after the shooting, deployed multiple tactics to persuade Mathis to leave the home during the 20-plus hour standoff. SWAT members Adam Bowers and Michael Higgins testified about their efforts, which included the deployment of non-lethal gas inside the residence.
Around 3:20 a.m. Sept.
5, the team attempted to breach the home using a ram on an armored vehicle, but Bowers testified they were met with gunfire and withdrew. Higgins took Mathis into custody following the standoff around 2:30 p.m. that day and led the search of the home. In addition, ISP Special Agent James Wheelan ISP Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Jeff Thew also took the witness stand Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the first day of the trial in front of the eight woman-six man (two alternate) jury, Severs and McLaughlin testified about their role serving the warrant on Sept. 4, what happened following entry into the residence and their subsequent injuries.
Body cam footage from the officers present showed a chaotic scene following the sounds of at least three gunshots from within the residence.
Also taking the stand Tuesday were Macomb Police Department (MPD) officers Jordan Hawes, Korri Cameron, Brendon Lopina, Kenneth Bergren, Bryce Herrick and Todd Tedrow, along with former MPD Kyle Protsman, now with the Bushnell Police Department. The officers who testified were part of the team that entered the residence after the attempt to serve the warrant was unsuccessful.
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 is serving as Mathis' attorney.
Mathis is led into the McDonough County Jail following his arrest Sept. 15, 2024
