Thursday, May 17, 2012
Photo
Williams
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Jacquavis K. Williams told the judge he was sorry for acting up in court when he was convicted two months ago of shooting and robbing the owner of the North End Market.
But Williams, 22, of Palmyra Road Southwest, insisted he is not the man who committed the crimes.
“I feel for the family, but I did not do this,” Williams said.
Nonetheless, Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court sentenced Williams to a 20-year prison term, citing Williams’ two previous criminal convictions in the county, his juvenile record, lack of remorse and the serious physical harm the store owner suffered.
Mohammad Darwish, who spent two weeks in the hospital after the shooting, gave a statement to Judge McKay.
“I get so mad thinking about how everything I worked so hard for and, most importantly, my life were almost taken away from me by a complete stranger for a few dollars,” he said.
When Williams was convicted March 15, he slammed his fist onto the defense table and was wrestled to the floor by several deputy sheriffs.
On Wednesday, he didn’t show emotion when his sentence was given. Deputies stood close by.
Regarding Williams’ guilt, Chris Becker, assistant county prosecutor, pointed out that he repeatedly offered Williams the opportunity to take a lie-detector test, but Williams refused.
Williams’ mother, Jacqueline Joyce, said her son has always told the truth.
“Even if he knew he would get into trouble, he would tell me if he’d done something,” she said.
Police said Darwish was working the cash register when Williams approached with a bottled drink and bag of Doritos. Williams asked for a Black and Mild cigar, and as Darwish turned to hand it to him, Williams fired, hitting Darwish in the hand and stomach.
Then Williams demanded money, received it and left the store.
Darwish’s wife was returning to the store about that time and called 911 as Darwish lost consciousness.