PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — The man who is convicted of murdering a Palm Beach Gardens teenager learned his fate on Wednesday.
A judge sentenced Semmie Williams for the murder of Ryan Rogers. He will serve 35 years in prison with credit for time served.
WATCH SENTENCING:
Williams stabbed the 14-year-old to death while he was riding his bike in November 2021. Rogers’ body was found the next day in a wooded area along Central Boulevard, near his bicycle.
The medical examiner says he was stabbed multiple times in the head and neck.
Prosecutors wanted Semmie Williams to spend the rest of his life in prison. They say he’s a danger to society and should never be released.
See also: Life sentence recommended for Semmie Williams in 2021 Palm Beach Gardens teen murder
But his defense team wants him to serve a little more than 21 years. The defense argues that William is severely mentally ill and wants the judge to consider his intellectual disability when sentencing him.
The sentencing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Palm Beach County Courthouse. CBS12 News will have a crew inside the courtroom to bring you updates.
The Semmie Williams trial and the murder of Ryan Rogers brought a broader issue into focus. The growing homeless population in our area has– at times– become violent towards people who are just going about their lives.
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Homeless people have attacked and killed innocent bystanders, totally unprovoked. The CBS12 news I-Team explored that subject and pushed for accountability from local leaders- asking what are they doing to keep us safe when we know mental health problems are pervasive in the homeless population. That story is on our website and it speaks to the horrifying reality.
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