Prosecutor David Copperthite accused an Edgewood man of murder in federal court Friday.
He hadn?t sought a grand jury?s indictment.
He didn?t need to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
He hadn?t even charged the man.
Yet, he got the sentence he wanted: Life in prison.
“There was a first-degree murder in this case,” said U.S. District Judge William Quarles, before imposing the sentence on convicted crack dealer Gary Bernard Williams Jr., 28.
Over the objections of defense attorneys, prosecutors took the unusual step of using a sentencing hearing to pursue justice for a slain informant, Robin Welshons, though Williams only had been convicted of drug crimes.
“The murder of Robin Welshons was nothing less than the brutal execution of a witness,” Copperthite said Friday at the sentencing in Baltimore City.
“It just smells bad,” said Christie Needleman, Williams? attorney.
“I was preparing for a murder case with no time.
“If you want to try my client with murder, go ahead.
“Do the investigation.
“Have discovery.
“Don?t do it this way.”
Copperthite said Welshons, who was gunned down in an Aberdeen motel in February 2006, wore a wire while setting up drug transactions with Williams.
In a written opinion, Quarles said he found that Williams? conduct resulted in Welshons? death and the life sentence was appropriate for his drug crimes.
Welshons? mother, Mary, said she believed justice was served in the case.
“My daughter is in heaven,” she said.
“He is already in hell. Jail is hell.”
Prosecutors said that at 11:30 p.m. Feb. 7, 2006, Williams obtained a .357 handgun from a family member and told that person he was going to “take care of” Welshons.
Shortly after Welshons? slaying Feb. 8, 2006, Williams advised the family member from whom he had obtained the gun to dispose of the remaining .357 cartridges and the gun holster.
Williams was charged with distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine.
Needleman said Welshons was a long-time informant and could have been killed by any of the people she helped convict.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said the move by prosecutors was “not unusual,” and is allowed during sentencing under what?s called “relevant conduct” that can help a judge influence how much prison time a convict receives.
