An Elmira teen who was convicted for murder and other charges in October will spend at least 25 years in prison for a 2024 shooting death in the Town of Southport.
Michael W. Williams, who will turn 19 on Christmas Day, was found guilty following a jury trial on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the Nov. 15, 2024 death of 21-year-old J’Sean Williams of Johnson Street in Elmira.
The two were not related, according to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the shooting.
Calling the attack an “assassination,” Chemung County Richard W. Rich Jr. this week sentenced Williams to 25 years to life in prison for the murder conviction, plus 15 years in prison on each of the weapons charges, to be served concurrently, followed by five years of post-release supervision for each of the weapons counts.
Around 12:45 a.m. Nov. 15, 2024, members of the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement agencies responded to 1154 Richard St. in the Town of Southport for a report of someone who had been shot multiple times.
Arriving deputies determined there had been a large party at the home of a friend to help J’Sean Williams celebrate his 21st birthday.
The victim was shot five times at close range, prosecutors said. He was taken to Arnot Ogden Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to Michael Williams, who was taken into custody at a residence in the City of Binghamton, with the assistance of the Binghamton Police Department and Broome County Sheriff’s Office.
Williams, who was 17 at the time of the incident, also has a prior felony conviction for first-degree burglary in Chemung County and served time at the Hudson Correctional Facility.
Assistant Chemung County District Attorney Susan Rider-Ulacco, who prosecuted the case, said Williams showed no remorse and took no responsibility for the “execution-style” murder, and she advocated for the maximum sentence allowed by law.
Due to his age at the time of the murder, Williams was initially incarcerated at a secured juvenile facility in Albany, but was later transferred to the Chemung County Jail, where he remains in custody awaiting transfer to state prison.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira teen gets max sentence for murder of J’Sean Williams in Southport
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
