07-30-2012, 04:54 PM
I did not attend Williams' mother's testimony, but i am told it was a 90 minute explanation of how fucked up she is with about 10 minutes of Sam thrown in at the end. She was followed by Williams' sister, Nora Smoo (sp?) who testified about her being badly burned in a house fire as a child and losing 2 siblings in the fire, but that was before Sam was even born. She testified that Sam was spoiled as a child, was pretty normal, considers his mom his best friend and that their mother told her that Williams' father came to see him for the first time when he was 5 months old. He left to go buy some diapers and never returned. (Can't say I wouldn't have taken a look and done the same.) Prosecutors brought out a police report she filed where Sam had threatened to kill her.
Next up...the current wife, Starla Cowell Williams, who went on and on about what a great guy Sam was; made her laugh and could make her feel better just by being in the room. Prosecutor brought up that she was was arrested for prostituting herself, with Sam's consent, when 22 months pregnant.
Victoria Metcalf, Sam's first wife and mother of his son, testified about what a good father Sam was, how he helped her parents with chores around the house when he lived with them after she became pregnant, and was a devoted family man when they first married. Prosecutors refreshed her memory, via a police report she filed, regarding a death threat Sam made to either her or her current beau, Nate Popovich.
Tia Atkins, mother of a very close childhood friend of Sam's testified about what a great kid he was. She and her husband took him into their home as a teen because he didn't get along with his stepfather. They eventually became his legal guardians. She described him as a normal kid who loved football and basketball, and who frequently helped with chores.
Last was Harold McCardell, a pastor who met Sam through Victoria when they began having marital problems. He counselled Sam, who then helped him at a restaurant he owned, as well as around his house with things he couldn't do himself as a result of being confined to a wheelchair. He said Sam never asked for or received any payment for all his help, other than maybe an occasional meal. When asked by prosecutors when they last spoke he said it was around 2008 or 09.
In closing arguments the prosecutor deftly raised suspicion on any of the mitigating factors have weight due to the fact that everyone seemed in agreement that he was a pretty good kid, and later a seemingly good man. He was never acting out, in trouble, ill behaved, torturing animals and the like.
Defense concluded that missing the love of a father was more than he could bear and asked the jury to, "stop the killing at two."
Waiting on the verdict and when it comes down Lindsay Straub will give a Victim Impact Statement, as will either John Clark or Maytee, depending on what the judge decides about allowing Maytee in court.
Finally, I read posts from earlier today regarding the possibility that the jury could recommend a 25 or 30 year sentence rather than death. Technically, they could recommend Life without Parole, Life with possibility of Parole after 30 or Life without possibility of Parole until 25. The prosecutors gave the impression to the families at the conclusion of the trial phase that sentences would be consecutive. The best scenario for Williams then is the possibility of parole after 50 years for 2 counts of Ag. Murder, another 20 minimum for 2 counts of kidnapping, and I believe he said another 5 years minimum on the burglary charge. That would mean if he lives to be 98 years old he will be eligible for parole if he gets the minimum sentences on all 5 counts. And that's only if he gets credit for time served thus far. If not, he'd have to wait until he's 99.
Next up...the current wife, Starla Cowell Williams, who went on and on about what a great guy Sam was; made her laugh and could make her feel better just by being in the room. Prosecutor brought up that she was was arrested for prostituting herself, with Sam's consent, when 22 months pregnant.
Victoria Metcalf, Sam's first wife and mother of his son, testified about what a good father Sam was, how he helped her parents with chores around the house when he lived with them after she became pregnant, and was a devoted family man when they first married. Prosecutors refreshed her memory, via a police report she filed, regarding a death threat Sam made to either her or her current beau, Nate Popovich.
Tia Atkins, mother of a very close childhood friend of Sam's testified about what a great kid he was. She and her husband took him into their home as a teen because he didn't get along with his stepfather. They eventually became his legal guardians. She described him as a normal kid who loved football and basketball, and who frequently helped with chores.
Last was Harold McCardell, a pastor who met Sam through Victoria when they began having marital problems. He counselled Sam, who then helped him at a restaurant he owned, as well as around his house with things he couldn't do himself as a result of being confined to a wheelchair. He said Sam never asked for or received any payment for all his help, other than maybe an occasional meal. When asked by prosecutors when they last spoke he said it was around 2008 or 09.
In closing arguments the prosecutor deftly raised suspicion on any of the mitigating factors have weight due to the fact that everyone seemed in agreement that he was a pretty good kid, and later a seemingly good man. He was never acting out, in trouble, ill behaved, torturing animals and the like.
Defense concluded that missing the love of a father was more than he could bear and asked the jury to, "stop the killing at two."
Waiting on the verdict and when it comes down Lindsay Straub will give a Victim Impact Statement, as will either John Clark or Maytee, depending on what the judge decides about allowing Maytee in court.
Finally, I read posts from earlier today regarding the possibility that the jury could recommend a 25 or 30 year sentence rather than death. Technically, they could recommend Life without Parole, Life with possibility of Parole after 30 or Life without possibility of Parole until 25. The prosecutors gave the impression to the families at the conclusion of the trial phase that sentences would be consecutive. The best scenario for Williams then is the possibility of parole after 50 years for 2 counts of Ag. Murder, another 20 minimum for 2 counts of kidnapping, and I believe he said another 5 years minimum on the burglary charge. That would mean if he lives to be 98 years old he will be eligible for parole if he gets the minimum sentences on all 5 counts. And that's only if he gets credit for time served thus far. If not, he'd have to wait until he's 99.