A Detroit man, identified as Arthur Williamson, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering a radio newscaster, as well as assaulting his family. This was reported by the Associated Press news agency.
The news anchor was identified as Jim Matthews, who was murdered at his home in Chesterfield Township, Michigan, in September 2022. Prior to his death, Matthews was an anchor for WWJ-AM’s Newsradio 950.
The verdict was handed down by Macomb County Circuit Judge James Biernat, who asserted that Arthur Williamson was “the incarnation of evil” during the enunciation of the sentence on Thursday, according to The Detroit News.
Williamson decided not to testify when asked if he considered himself guilty or not guilty. Failure to plead, according to the Associated Press, is not an admission of guilt, but is used as such at sentencing.
For the incident, Williamson was charged with first degree murder, assault with intent to murder and unlawful kidnapping.
The Associated Press news agency reported that Williamson, 55, was a friend of Matthews’ girlfriend, Nichole Guertin, who testified that the killer came to her house to smoke crack cocaine and carry heroin.
Guertin testified that when she refused to participate in this activity, Williamson tied her up, slit her throat and bound her wrists and ankles, The Detroit News reported.
By the time Matthews got to the house, Williamson hit him with a hammer and stabbed him.
Guertin managed to escape from the house, accompanied by her 5-year-old daughter, and called for help. Her other 10-year-old son was also held hostage by Williamson, as he was hit on the head with a hammer and tied up inside a clothes closet.
Police officers, upon arriving at the scene, found the bloody and bruised corpse of Matthews.
Judge Biernat said, at the time of sentencing, that “The only thing that is incredible is that you have not killed them all.”
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