And the point of all this is...? He's pleading guilty to the charges but doesn't like the sentence? This guy sounds like a genius. He'll be real happy in his new home.
AIKEN -- A 22-year-old Aiken man accused of beating an elderly man to death last year rejected a plea agreement Thursday that would have kept him from a life sentence.
Chad E. Williams is in jail on charges of armed robbery and first degree murder in the death of 81-year-old Hubert Ellis.
Mr. Williams, clad in red prison garb with his hands and feet shackled, stood before Judge Jack Early of the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court initially to accept the terms of a plea agreement -- consecutive sentences of 30 years for the murder and 15 years suspended to 10 years for the armed robbery.
The defendant told the judge he was pleading guilty to both charges but then objected to the prison sentences running consecutively instead of concurrently.
"Well, that's not the agreement," Judge Early said, explaining to Mr. Williams that he needed to decide whether to accept the deal or take his chances with a jury trial that could mean life in prison on both charges if he's found guilty.
"I don't want it," Mr. Williams told the judge, who instructed the attorneys to prepare for a jury trial.
Mr. Williams' mother erupted in loud sobs and had to be removed from the courtroom.
Outside, David Miller, the defendant's attorney, told his client's family that Mr. Williams could very well end up serving two consecutive life sentences.
Mr. Williams is accused of robbing and killing Mr. Ellis on May 1, 2007, in his mobile home on Duck Wood Lane in Aiken.
Mr. Ellis' son-in-law found him the next morning, lying face down in a pool of blood in his bathroom doorway.
The Aiken County coroner said Mr. Ellis died of head injuries.
Mr. Williams, whose home is about 100 yards from Mr. Ellis' mobile home, was arrested by Aiken County sheriff's investigators the next day.
In June, Mr. Williams' girlfriend, 23-year-old Crystal Nicole Jackson, was charged with accessory after the fact. She is accused of helping Mr. Williams conceal his involvement in the murder by burning and burying items allegedly stolen from the victim.
Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
And the point of all this is...? He's pleading guilty to the charges but doesn't like the sentence? This guy sounds like a genius. He'll be real happy in his new home.
Looks like he won't end up liking the sentence the jury hands down. I would sob too, if my son were such an arrogant idiot. wONDE WHY TH DEATH SENTENCE DOESN'T APPLY HERE?
People are crazy to help hide evidence. If I had a family member commit a crime they had better not tell me, because I am not going to jail for anyone. I would bust on them before I would go to jail for them. Why do people keep commiting so many serioius crimes? Very few ever get away in today's world but criminals always seem to think...Oooh, they won't catch me! I have always had this saying about criminals....
( IF CRIMINALS HAVE TO PASS A CRIMINAL TEST,...TO BE A CRIMINAL....WE WOULD NOT HAVE MANY CRIMINALS !!!
It's good to see a low life coward like this who murdered a defenseless elderly man have the moral character and intelligence to demand what he rightfully deserves. Why can't this be a death penalty case?
I4PUTT -- I am thinking the exact same thing!! We are feeding, clothing, and housing WAY TOO MANY pieces of human excrement. And here is a great example. However, I see Bubba smiling -- his new mailorder bride is coming....!
These idiots commit the crimes like this because no one (in their circle of friends) seems to value human life anymore. I hope he "enjoyed" whatever he took for this poor man. I personally hope he rots in jail, especially since we are paying for his sorry self to live in jail the rest of his life- with our money. I would much rather pay for the electricity to do the punishment! The victims family is certainly in my thoughts and prayers.
This is natural selection at its finest!!!
My thoughts go out to the entire Ellis family.
.22 caliber bullet at the base of the skull would be about 10 cents. Then send the family a bill for the trouble!!!!
He admits his crime of murder but believs his punishment to be to harsh. He should be sent straight to the electric chair along with all others who take human life. Quick, fast, less costly and simply the right thing to do. And, wsm141, you are right, his family should be held responsible for his actions by having to pay for all law enforcement and court costs. Furthermore, any felon should not ever have access to government programs such as 401 housing, tax credits, welfare, food stamps, etc. as they should lose this privlege to sponge off of hard working citizens as they are criminals.
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