James Hunter and Raymond Jones trial

By John Kennett

MT. PLEASANT – The testimony of a defendant’s girlfriend was enough evidence for Isabella County Trial Judge William Rush to order two men to stand trial Feb. 1 for the beating of James Williams.

James Jerome Hunter and Raymond Demetrius Jones allegedly assaulted Williams, 21, outside O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grill on Jan. 1. Hunter, 19, and Jones, 22, were bound over for trial on charges of assault with the intent to murder, assault with the intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and armed robbery.

Rush continued each man’s bond at $1 million.

Marla Hoag, who began a romantic relationship with Hunter in December 2007, testified that first she witnessed Hunter, and then Hunter and Jones striking Williams behind O’Kelly’s, 2000 S. Mission St., Mt. Pleasant.

During the evening, Hunter approached Hoag, grabbed her by the arm and took her outside near the Central Animal Hospital, located to the south of O’Kelly’s.

“I saw someone lying on the ground face down,” said Hoag. “Mr. Hunter told me that he was the one who hit the victim with a beer bottle.”

Hoag got within 10 feet of the victim and froze.

“Then I saw Mr. Hunter kick the victim with his foot,” said Hoag.

Hunter, who is currently on probation for an adult domestic violence conviction, climbed into Hoag’s car while Hoag went into O’Kelly’s to retrieve Jones.

With Hoag, Hunter and Jones in the car, Hunter drove the car from the west side to the south side of O’Kelly’s and parked near the victim. While in the car, Hunter and Jones discussed what had occurred.

“Mr. Hunter was telling Mr. Jones what had happened,” said Hoag. “That he had beat up a guy with a beer bottle.

“Mr. Hunter said that he had to kill the victim or go back to jail for a long time,” added Hoag. Hoag then testified that Jones and Hunter got out of the car and went over to the victim.

“Mr. Hunter and Mr. Jones got out (of the car) and began hitting and punching (Williams),” said Hoag. “Mr. Hunter took out an ice scrapper from the back of the car, went over to the victim and brought up his arm. Then I stopped looking.”

It was Jan. 1 when Hunter showed Hoag a wallet-sized picture of Tia Williams, sister of the victim.

“Mr. Hunter said that the picture came out of the wallet from the guy last night,” said Hoag.

Isabella Prosecuting Attorney Larry Burdick asked Hoag why she failed to call 911 or report the crime.

“I was extremely scared,” said Hoag. “I also know the things that Jones and Hunter have done in the past. They told me that only three people know (what happened) and if it leaks, they know who did it.”

Under cross examination from Tom Bromell, Hunter’s court-appointed attorney, Hoag testified that she expects to be charged with crimes and does not expect leniency from her involvement.

Bromell also questioned Hoag about the amount of alcohol she had consumed during the evening.

“I had four beers before we went to O’Kelly’s,” said Hoag. “I had multiple shots at the bar, two mixed drinks and two or three beers.”

Hoag also testified that she takes Paxil for Fibromyalgia and was told by a doctor that the combination of alcohol and medication could wipe out her memory. Hoag stated that she did not take Paxil on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1.

Before Hoag took the stand, Williams’ father, James Franklin Williams, took the stand.

The elder Williams testified that he could barely identify his son when he arrived at the Central Michigan Community Hospital early Jan. 1.

“He was barely recognizable,” said Williams, a nurse since 1983. “His face looked like a basketball.”

At the beginning of the preliminary exam, both Bromell and Anne McLellan, court-appointed attorney for Jones, asked Rush to adjourn the hearing to allow their clients time to hire their own attorneys. Rush stated that he believed the defendants were making the motion on ‘a wing and a prayer’ and denied the motion.

Williams was transferred to Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw on Jan. 1. He has been released and is undergoing therapy at a rehabilitation center.

Edited by Ben Evers.
Edited by Jason Baird.