Woman helped her boyfriend ‘obliterate the competition,’ got him to brutally blow away her child’s father while he was babysitting
An Indiana woman has been sentenced to prison for helping her boyfriend carry out the murder of her former partner and the father of her child in a case prosecutors described as a cold-blooded act driven by jealousy. The victim, 33-year-old Devon L. Williams, was caring for children inside his Michigan home when he was ambushed and fatally shot.
Markeisha Burns-Cross, 27, received a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years after pleading no contest to second-degree murder. Prosecutors said she played a critical role in the events that led to Williams’ death on March 29, 2023, in Buena Vista Township, Michigan.
Relationship Conflict Sparked the Deadly Chain of Events
According to court testimony and prosecutors, the events leading up to the murder began after Burns-Cross and her then-boyfriend, 26-year-old Zakeem Jones, spent a night drinking and arguing. The dispute reportedly centered on Jones’ interactions and communications with other women.
Following the argument, Burns-Cross decided to reconnect with Williams, her former boyfriend and the father of her child. However, Jones later discovered text messages exchanged between Burns-Cross and Williams. The messages allegedly enraged him and became the catalyst for the deadly confrontation that followed.
Jones Became Enraged After Reading Messages
Court records revealed that Jones looked through Burns-Cross’ phone and found the messages she had exchanged with Williams. Prosecutors argued that Jones viewed Williams as romantic competition and became consumed by jealousy.
Authorities said Jones instructed Burns-Cross to continue with plans to meet Williams and accompany him on the trip from Indiana to Michigan. Prosecutors later argued that Jones intended to confront Williams and eliminate what he saw as a rival.
Trip to Michigan Ended in a Fatal Ambush
Burns-Cross and Jones traveled from Indiana to Williams’ duplex in Buena Vista Township, located in Michigan’s Saginaw County.
Prosecutors said Jones armed himself with a 9 mm handgun before approaching the residence. When they arrived, he allegedly directed Burns-Cross to lure Williams outside. However, the plan did not unfold as expected. Instead, Burns-Cross entered the residence, and Jones followed her inside while carrying the firearm.
Williams Was Babysitting Children When the Attack Occurred
At the time of the shooting, Williams was inside the home with several children. Reports indicate he was seated at a table when Burns-Cross and Jones entered.
Williams was reportedly unarmed and unaware of any danger. When he saw Jones inside the residence, he attempted to flee. However, prosecutors said the front door was locked, preventing his escape.
Multiple Shots Fired Inside the Home
After Williams tried to escape, Jones opened fire. Authorities said several shots were fired, striking Williams and causing him to collapse inside the home.
Emergency responders were unable to save him, and he died at the scene. The victim was later remembered as a father of five children whose life ended in what prosecutors described as a planned and deliberate attack.
Prosecutors Called It a Premeditated Ambush
During court proceedings, prosecutors portrayed the killing as a calculated murder motivated by jealousy rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
One prosecutor stated that Williams was “unarmed in his own home” and had “no idea what was coming.” The prosecution argued that he “lost a battle he didn’t know he was fighting” because the attack was carefully orchestrated before the couple arrived at his residence.
‘Obliterate the Competition’
One of the most striking phrases used by prosecutors was their assertion that Jones sought to “obliterate the competition” after discovering the communications between Burns-Cross and Williams.
According to the prosecution, Jones viewed Williams as a threat to his relationship with Burns-Cross and decided to remove him permanently. Investigators concluded that jealousy was the primary motive behind the homicide.
Burns-Cross Testified Against Her Boyfriend
As the criminal cases progressed, Burns-Cross ultimately agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
She testified against Jones during his murder trial, providing details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the events that unfolded at Williams’ home. Her cooperation became a significant factor in the prosecution’s case against Jones.
Charges Reduced Through Plea Agreement
Burns-Cross was initially arrested in July 2023 and charged with first-degree murder as well as felony weapons offenses.
However, as part of a plea arrangement, she pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. The more serious first-degree murder charge and associated weapons charges were dismissed under the agreement.
The Couple Fled After the Shooting
Following the killing, Burns-Cross and Jones left Michigan and returned to Indiana.
Authorities launched an investigation into the homicide, gathering evidence and pursuing both suspects. Burns-Cross was arrested several months after the shooting, while Jones remained at large for a significantly longer period.
Jones Remained a Fugitive Until 2024
Jones was not immediately apprehended following the homicide. Authorities eventually tracked him down after he was released from prison in Illinois.
In September 2024, he was extradited to Michigan to face prosecution for Williams’ murder.
Boyfriend Received Life Sentence Without Parole
Jones was ultimately convicted of first-degree premeditated murder along with multiple firearm-related offenses.
The court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars for the killing of Williams. Prosecutors argued that the evidence demonstrated planning, intent, and deliberate execution of the murder.
Burns-Cross Sentenced to 10 to 30 Years
After entering her no-contest plea, Burns-Cross appeared before the court for sentencing.
The judge ordered her to serve between 10 and 30 years in prison for her role in the murder. Although she did not pull the trigger, prosecutors maintained that her actions helped facilitate the deadly encounter that ended Williams’ life.
Family Left to Mourn the Loss of a Father
The case left Williams’ family and loved ones mourning the death of a man who prosecutors said was simply caring for children inside his own home when he was ambushed.
The victim’s death became a tragic example of how jealousy and relationship disputes can escalate into deadly violence. With Jones serving life without parole and Burns-Cross facing decades in prison, the criminal proceedings have largely concluded, but the impact on Williams’ children and family members continues.
