CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man pleaded guilty Monday in connection with a 2005 Charleston shooting death before his trial was to begin in a separate case.
Andre “A3” Williamson, 30, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jody Gray. He was originally indicted in 2006 for Gray’s murder but the charge was dismissed without prejudice. He was found not guilty on a robbery charge.
The most recent case, which was scheduled for trial Monday, had to do with drugs and a weapon and an escape while Williamson was on home confinement. All but one charge, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, was dropped Monday as part of the plea bargain.
Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Maryclaire Akers credits Gray’s family for seeking justice for their son for more than a decade.
“The victim’s family has stayed with it and has never given up hope that they could at least get some sort of justice for what happened,” she said.
Gray was shot in the back of the head July 28, 2005. He was found in his Washington Manor apartment.
Akers said getting a plea on Gray’s death was the priority.
“It was more important to try and get justice for the people who are missing a loved one than I think an escape charge or even a felon in possession of a firearm charge would be,” she said.
When Williamson escaped home confinement last November, Charleston Police Chief Steve Cooper singled him out.
“I consider him to be probably the most dangerous criminals that we have in Charleston,” Cooper said at the time.
Williamson faces 3 to 15 years behind bars when he is sentenced by Kanawha County Circuit Judge Charles King on Sept. 20. The prosecution is pushing for the maximum 15 years.