Florida Killing Recorded by a Cell Phone

By Jamie Epstein

TMCnet Web Editor

 

 Prosecutors in Largo, Florida say a man on trial for allegedly killing his wife, accidentally enabled the recording feature to tape the entire crime, an article revealed.

During opening arguments yesterday, prosecutors said 45-year-old Ronald Earl Williams somehow dialed out on his cell phone, which called his wife's cell phone.

William's wife's voicemail recorded Williams saying he was going to kill her and prosecutors say it recorded 31-year-old Mariama Williams' terrified screams immediately after.

Prosecutors are seeking a first-degree murder conviction and the death penalty on the grounds that the crime was heinous, atrocious and cruel.Williams' attorney is arguing the killing was not premeditated.

This is not the first time cell phones have been used to put a killer behind bars.

Oakland Circuit Judge Rae Lee Chabot recently ruled that cell phone photos that prosecutors say show a teen in an upbeat and triumphant mood after allegedly killing a police officer can be introduced during his trial. Jonathan Belton, a 17-year-old Detroit resident was charged with the Dec. 28, 2008, shooting of 28-year-old Oak Park Public Safety Officer Mason Samborski at an apartment complex.

Recently in Olathe, Kan. a teen was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old schoolmate who collapsed after a fight that was captured on a bystander's cell phone. Dustin Howard, 16, of Gardner, Kan., is accused of unintentionally killing Dakota DeRemus while committing battery. Four classmates witnessed the fight and one recorded it on his cell phone, investigators told KCTV5.com.