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Judge Rules Wesley Williams Will Not Face Dealth Penalty
12/03/09 - 05:10 PM
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Circuit Judge William Wright ruled today that convicted murderer Wesley Williams will not face the death penalty in the deaths of Danielle Baker and her three children, Aaron, Amarion and Ahmaad Baker in Marianna.

Williams was convicted by a 12-member jury on October 2, 2009 of the killings. Judge Wright reviewed the transcripts of the trial and the recommendations of the jury before making a sentencing recommendation.

Judge Wright ruled that the evidence at the trial was exhaustive, with 69 witnesses called. In addition, it was proven that Williams was present at the time the crimes were committed and that the jury was correct to find him guilty of all charges. However, Judge Wright ruled that Williams’ actual participation was not sufficiently proven to the level required to sentence him to death under applicable law.

“Sometimes you just can’t prove everything and in this case there wasn’t enough evidence to prove exactly who did it,” said State Attorney Glenn Hess.  He says he respects Judge Wright’s decision and believes he did what he had to do.

“I think that in this case particularly with the rapidity that the jury came back guilty as charged the jury would have voted strongly for the death penalty,” said Hess.  But it’s Judge Wright, not the jury who gets to decide William’s sentence. Because Williams was convicted of first degree murder, he will face life in prison.

“The good news is he won’t receive the death penalty the bad news is he won’t receive a direct appeal to the Florida Supreme Court,” said William’s attorney, Walter Smith.  He says if he would’ve received the death penalty, he may have had a better shot at a conviction appeal.  Instead, Williams’ case will be heard again in the First District Court of Appeals.

“He’ll be lost in the shuffle, I believe,” said Smith.

Smith says he thinks the judge’s orders are a contradiction to the state’s theory that Williams went to the home with the intention of killing Danielle Baker and her children.

“Whether he did it personally or he had help, he is still a major participant the judge’s findings take exception to that,” said Smith.

Hess says they’ve done all they can to find out who the others involved in the crime were, but as of right now, there are no other suspects out there.

William’s attorney says they will file an appeal.  The official sentencing date has not yet been set.

Click Here to read Judge Wright’s order.