Mother sentenced to 16 years for her role in Christmas Eve shooting

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A Decatur woman has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for her involvement in a Christmas Eve shooting in 2021.

In August, Kiona L. Cliff pleaded guilty to second degree murder as part of a plea agreement.

Her son, Jatrevius O. Jarrett, 20, was found guilty on three counts of first degree murder in September. He was charged with shooting and killing 30-year-old Efrem O. Jones on December 24, 2021 at an apartment complex in the 500 block of South Church Street.

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According to the warrant for Cliff's arrest, witnesses at the scene told police that Jarrett was involved in a physical altercation with Jones before the shooting happened. Witnesses said they heard Jarrett say that he was going to kill Jones before he left the scene.

Jarrett later returned to the complex, according to the warrant. Witnesses said he was brought back to the scene by his mother, who was identified as Cliff.

Cliff will be given credit for time served from July 28, 2022 through October 3, 2023.

The sentencing hearing for Jarrett has been scheduled for November 8.