Photo of James Willits provided by London police.Photo of James Willits provided by London police.
London

Additional Murder Charge Laid In Beating Death

A third man now faces a murder charge in connection to the beating death of 29-year-old James Willits.

Brandon Nichols, 34, has been formally charged with second degree murder after police consultations with the Crown. He was initially charged with robbery in connection with the events that led to Willits' death.

Police say Willits was badly beaten at his Baseline Rd. W apartment on March 2 and later died in hospital.

Two other men, Steven Antone, 22, and Ronald Chrisjohn, 31, also face charges of second degree murder.

Chrisjohn was the first to be charged.

Antone was at large for over two months before being arrested by London police at an Arbour Glen Cres. home in early May.

Both Curtis Pease, 33, and Cassandra McGall, 21, face charges of accessory after the fact. They were both arrested at the same location.

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(left to right) SPS Deputy Chief Michael Van Sickle and Acting Chief Mike Federico. June 25, 2026. (Photo by Natalia Vega)

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(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / dehooks)

Scoreboard, June 26

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped their third in a row Thursday, 6-5 to the visiting Texas Rangers, and the Detroit Tigers suffered a 2-1 loss to Houston.