Night fishing, a shotgun, and a call to 911. What led to hate crime charges in Paris, Illinois?
Danville Alderman Jaleel Jones and two of his cousins — Tajon King and Duane Williams, three Black men were harassed on April 3 while fishing at White Oaks Park in Paris, Illinois. Three white men shouted racial slurs at them and even took out a shotgun during the incident. Google Maps
On April 3, Jaleel Jones and two of his cousins — Tajon King and Duane Williams — decided to go fishing. Jones is from Danville and serves on the city council there. They decided to travel south to tiny Paris, Illinois, to fish at a place called White Oaks Park.
Jones and his cousins are Black. Three white men approached them and shouted racial slurs. Eventually, the men retrieved a shotgun from their truck. There were multiple calls to 911 — and how dispatchers responded is being questioned. Ultimately, the three white men were later arrested and now face a variety of criminal charges. Jesse L. Kollman has been charged with attempted first degree murder. Jordan J. Kollman has been charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. And a third man, Jayden Reynolds, has been charged with unlawful delivery of a firearm to a felon.
Beyond those charges, all three men have also been charged with a hate crime and on Friday, all three pleaded not guilty. One of the victims, Alderman Jones recounts the experience and two reporters covering the case also join the discussion.
GUESTS
Jaleel Jones
Alderman, Danville Ward 1
Victim of harassment and shooting attack in White Oaks in Paris, Illinois
Kaighla White
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Vermilion Times
Kirk Allen
Founder and Reporter, Edgar County Watchdogs
