Bolingbrook Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Maya Smith “Just Inches” from Her Daughter

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Bolingbrook Man Receives Life Sentence for Murdering Woman in Front of Her Toddler Daughter

JOLIET, Ill. — A Bolingbrook resident, Jermaine Mandley, has been handed a life sentence by the court after being found guilty of brutally killing his girlfriend in close proximity to her young daughter. Prosecutors revealed that the incident occurred in January, leaving the community shocked and devastated.

During a jury trial in August, Mandley was convicted on three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of endangering the life or health of a child. The sentencing took place on Monday, delivering justice to the victim’s family.

The horrifying incident unfolded in the early hours of January 8th when the Joliet police discovered a silver sedan parked in an alley on Clement Street. Upon inspection, they found the lifeless body of 24-year-old Maya Smith, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her head and abdomen. Tragically, her 2-year-old daughter remained unharmed in the backseat of the vehicle.

Surveillance footage captured a person exiting the passenger seat before turning back and unleashing a series of gunshots inside the car. This crucial evidence played a pivotal role in identifying Mandley as the suspect. Law enforcement officials were able to match DNA evidence found on the passenger door to Mandley, and they also obtained Ring camera footage from a nearby residence that Mandley had visited shortly after the shooting.

Text messages exchanged between Mandley and Smith provided further confirmation of their relationship and plans to meet on the day of the incident. The investigation revealed that Mandley failed to show up for work the following day. He was later apprehended on the southeast side of Chicago.

Additional video evidence presented during the trial showcased Mandley callously admitting to the crime, stating, “I killed that b-” and “she’s dead – call that b- now.” These chilling statements left no doubt about his involvement in the heinous act.

Shockingly, this was not Mandley’s first encounter with the law. In 2001, he was sentenced to prison after causing a fatal car accident that claimed the lives of a Chicago pastor and his wife. For driving without a license, despite having it revoked twice, and driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration nearly twice the legal limit while evading police, Mandley received a 15-year sentence for reckless homicide.

Moreover, Mandley had previously been convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon, resulting in a three and a half-year prison term.

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow expressed his disgust at Mandley’s actions, referring to him as “evil incarnate.” Glasgow condemned the defendant’s ruthless behavior, emphasizing that Mandley fired at least seven shots at Maya Smith, all while her helpless infant daughter was just inches away. The heartbreaking consequence of this heinous act is that the young girl will now face a life sentence without her mother.

The sentencing of Jermaine Mandley serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and the need to protect innocent lives. The court’s decision sends a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated in our society.

Please note: The video attached above is from a previous report..