Joliet Killer Found Guilty In Death Of Nathan Ballard: Judge
JOLIET, IL — To the surprise of nobody, Will County Judge Vincent Cornelius on Tuesday morning found 28-year-old Will County Jail inmate Elijah Watson guilty of first-degree murder for taking the life of Nathan Ballard in October 2018 near the Belmont Athletic Club property.
Watson was the real shooter, according to trial testimony. Joliet Patch previously covered the 2023 trial for Watson’s partner in crime, Anthony Francimore, and Francimore was found guilty under the prosecution’s felony murder theory.
According to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office of Jim Glasgow:
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On October 28, 2018, Francimore had arranged for a drug deal with 20-year-old Nathan Ballard on the east side of Joliet, on the 500 block of Fox Street in Joliet Township. Francimore and Watson had planned to rob Ballard of $75 by pretending Francimore was going to sell him ecstasy.
After Ballard paid, Francimore entered a waiting vehicle containing four other people, including Watson in the front passenger seat. Both Ballard and his brother attempted to stop Francimore from leaving with the money, but Watson pointed a gun at them, causing them to step away.
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As the car fled, Watson fired multiple shots in their direction, one fatally striking Nathan Ballard in the chest.
Watson is eligible for a sentence ranging from 45 years to life in prison. The sentence will be served at 100 percent. Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.
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