WILLIAMSON CO., Ill. - The woman who murdered Barbara Beers in November of 2013 has been found guilty of the murder, but legally not guilty by reason of insanity.
In the bench trial held in Williamson County this morning, prosecutor Lisa Irvin proved her case against accused murderer Tamara Williams, who was charged in the stabbing death of Beers at a location in south Williamson County more than three years ago. Judge Brian Lewis, after a four-hour recess, found Williams guilty on all 4 counts of the murder of Barbara Beers.
However, Lewis explained that while that verdict was issued, he had to take into consideration the evidence presented by her attorney Teresa Thein and by the mental health evaluations as provided by two experts. When all was said and done, Williams, for purposes of sentencing under Illinois law, has to have a legal determination of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Williams' bond has been revoked and she was returned to the Williamson County Jail. She will be sent to the Department of Human Services for evaluation.
Barbara Beers
Prosecutor Irvin told the victim's family they can bring their signed victim impact statement that will be sent along to her evaluation and that this will help to determine her treatment. Thirty days after that, another hearing will be held. Williams can be held up to 120 years, or she could be let go. The likelihood of the latter happening, however, according to officials, is "slim to none."
Irvin said medication administered to Williams while in custody of the sheriff was wearing off and during today's proceedings, Williams was "already hearing voices." She said Williams had been released by human services six times and "all six times she went off her meds." When she was apprehended in Laverne, Tennessee, her interview answers were "out there," according to Irvin. The voices she Williams was hearing, she'd said at the time, were "trying to kill her."
Beers' body was found to have 30 stab wounds. She also suffered contusions on her forearms and hands consistent with defense wounds. When Williams was found with Beers' stolen vehicle, she had a brown stain on her hand that turned out to be blood; additionally, a search of Beers' car turned up blood found on the keys as well as a blue-handled kitchen knife.
There were 21 members of the Beers family present and Williams was represented by six of her own family members in the courtroom today. Williams' grandmother left the courtroom during the most gruesome parts of the evidence being presented.
Tamara Williams, Williamson County Sheriff's Department mugshot