Seven witnesses were called by the LaSalle County State’s Attorneys Office to recount the events of March 16, 2021. LaSalle County State’s Attorney Todd Martin says that the witnesses will prove that 38-year old Donald Fredres killed his ex-wife’s parents and tried to kill her.
Martin claims that Fredres went to the home of Gregory and Brenda Barnes on March 16th last year to ask them where his ex-wife Jenell Johnson lived. He says when they didn’t tell him, Fredres allegedly shot and killed both of them.
Fredres was apparently able to find where his ex-wife lived and started banging on the door. Jenell Johnson, who took the stand, says when she and her husband saw it was him, she called 911.
After she thought he walked away, Fredres started banging on the door again and then allegedly shot the window built into their door.
The entire 911 phone call was played for the jury.
Assistant Public Defender Ryan Hamer, speaks to the jury during opening statements in the trial of Donald Fredres in the courtroom at the La Salle County Government Complex on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 in Ottawa. Picture taken by Shaw Media for the LaSalle County court coverage media pool.
La Salle County States Atorney Todd Martin speaks to the jury during opening statements in the trial of Donald Fredres in the courtroom at the La Salle County Government Complex on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 in Ottawa. Martin is leading the case for the prosecution. Picture taken by Shaw Media for LaSalle County court coverage media pool.