Jury returns split verdict in Mobile double murder trial involving dice game shooting

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A jury returned a split verdict Friday in a double murder case involving a shooting that erupted during an illegal dice game five and a half years ago.

After deliberating Thursday afternoon and about an hour Friday, the jury found 39-year-old Jerome Marquis Williams of Mobile guilty of murdering Willie Moffett but acquitted him of murder in the death of Carlos Cunningham. The jury also convicted him of one of two counts of second-degree assault and shooting at an occupied vehicle and building.

The jury found his brother, Cedric Cortez Williams, 34, of Mobile, not guilty of Moffett's murder but guilty of the lesser offense of manslaughter in Cunningham's death. He was also convicted of one of two second-degree assault charges.

Jerome Williams faces 20 years to life in prison for murder, while his brother's sentence for manslaughter is 10 to 20 years. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said his office intends to seek the maximum sentence for both defendants.

“These two brothers must be held accountable for their actions,” he said. “This was a sensitive situation with a lot of shootings. As a result, many more people could have been harmed. In addition to the two deaths, several people were injured.”

This week's trial came more than a year after Mobile County Circuit Judge Vicki Davis declared a mistrial near the conclusion of arguments after learning that the defense had not received a DNA report from an expert witness for the prosecution had been submitted.

“Based on everything that happened and our analysis of the case, we in this office have determined that it is important to retry this case and hold these offenders accountable,” Blackwood said.

James Byrd, Cedric Williams' attorney, said his client will likely appeal.

“I respect the jury’s decision,” he said. “You have gone through a lot of evidence, exhibits and witness statements, but I respectfully state that I believe he is not guilty.”

According to testimony this week in Mobile County Circuit Court, in March 2019, 15 to 20 people were playing at a “skin house” in the 500 block of Dauphin Island Parkway with 10 to 30 guns. Jerome Williams got into a fight with Moffett over a bet, and then bullets started flying.

Blackwood said investigators concluded that others who fired were acting in self-defense or defending others.

Byrd argued that others, not his client, initiated the violence. During closing arguments, he attacked the credibility of witnesses who he said had given statements that were inconsistent with their original statements to police.

“He was shot in the butt by Carlos Cunningham and he shot back and killed Carlos Cunningham,” he said. “And instead of self-defense, the jury said it was manslaughter.”

One of the victims, Moffett, jumped into a red Ford Fusion to escape and died from a shot that went through the passenger door. Blackwood said the shooting occurred outside the home in a residential area.

“And so it’s certainly a dangerous situation,” he said. “You know, the bullets don’t stop at the yard where the fight is taking place. So innocent people could have been killed. We are grateful that did not happen in this case.”

Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.