Murder charges may be resolved with plea bargain
The possibility of resolving two counts of murder stemming from an alleged drunken driving crash was discussed at a pretrial hearing in Bowie County this week.
Isiah Williams, 67, has a lengthy history of drunken driving arrests and convictions. He is facing two counts of murder and a felony DWI charge. At a pretrial hearing Wednesday before 102nd District
Judge Bobby Lockhart, Public Defender Deborah Moore said Williams is interested in a plea deal.
Moore’s comments led Assistant District Attorney to state that while the state and defense have been in discussions about a potential plea arrangement, they have not agreed on a specific sentence for Williams who is facing five to 99 years or life should he be found guilty of murder by a jury.
“I need to meet with the victim’s family first,” Crisp added.
Moore and Crisp told Lockhart that the state has made an offer and the defense has countered.
Lockhart asked the lawyers if they expect to reach
an agreement by Williams’ next pretrial hearing Nov. 6.
“Possibly,” Crisp said. “For the record, the state’s offer is life.”
Moore said the defense has suggested a sentence of 25 years.
Lockhart asked how old Williams is and Moore responded that Williams is
67.
“That sounds like a life sentence to me,” Lockhart said after learning of Williams’ age.
Should the state acquire approval from the families of those killed, and should the state and defense settle on a term, the case could end with Williams’ plea in November.
Williams has been behind bars since his arrest following the deadly crash Feb. 2.
Williams allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .216 when he slammed his Ford F-150 pickup into a tree along Interstate 30 near the 186 mile marker shortly after 5 p.m. Feb. 2, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. Jimmie Gant, 62, of Ashdown, and Kathy Brown, 59, of Texarkana, Texas, were passengers in Williams’ truck and died in the one-vehicle wreck.
Williams allegedly was traveling eastbound on I-30 when he veered off the roadway, crossed a large grassy area and a ditch before striking a tree. Both of Williams’ passengers died at the scene. The rear passenger was partially ejected through the windshield. Williams was transported by helicopter to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.
“Williams later stated the rear passenger was intoxicated and became angry leaning forward grabbing the steering wheel,” the affidavit states. “The speedometer was locked on 63 miles per hour and the driver stated he had the cruise control set on 65 miles per hour. The distance from the time the vehicle left the roadway until impact with the tree would have given a person who was not impaired more than ample time to brake.”
According to the affidavit, there was no evidence Williams attempted to use his brakes before the collision.
Each of the two counts of murder is punishable by five to 99 years or life in a Texas prison. Felony DWI is punishable by two to 10 years. Williams is being held in the Bowie County jail. Bail is set at $1 million. Even if Williams is able to post bond, he is unlikely to be released because of a parole warrant issued in the state of Arkansas. Williams is on parole in that state for a fifth felony DWI.