Woman who cut baby from womb wants out of prison

A woman serving a life sentence for killing two children and cutting a baby boy from their mother's womb in Addison has asked for a judge to reopen and reconsider her case.

Jacqueline Annette Williams, 45, filed a letter with the DuPage County court, The Daily Journal in Kankakee reported Tuesday. A spring hearing is expected before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.

“I understand my guilt and I am so truly remorseful,” Williams wrote. “But I feel I have served enough time. I just want to be productive and be a blessing to kids and other women who are in a predicament like myself. I am guilty but not of all of this, and I believe I deserve a second chance.”

Williams was convicted and received the death sentence in 1998 for the 1995 deaths of Debra Evans, 28, and Evans' children, Samantha, 10, and Joshua, 7. Evans' womb was slashed and her nearly full-term son removed. He survived, and is being cared for by Evans' father, Sam.

But Williams' death sentence was commuted to life in prison by then-Gov. George Ryan in 2003. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berline said that's when Williams received her second chance.

Evans' mother, Jacalyn Arnold, said she finds Williams' request bizarre.

“I don't think she should ever get out of prison,” Arnold said. “She's never expressed any remorse. If you don't want to be in jail, then don't do things like that. I can't believe anyone would ever consider letting her out.”

Sam Evans called Williams' request ludicrous.

“I'd want out too,” he said. “I'm happy she's a changed person, but that doesn't change the three lives that are gone.”