Teen Gets Jail Time For Murder Of Detroit Church Security Guard
DETROIT (WWJ) - A teenager accused in the murder of an 84-year-old security guard outside a Detroit church will spend 14 to 30 years in prison.
Fifteen-year-old Anthony Williams, who was sentenced Wednesday morning in Wayne County Circuit Court, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony firearm charges in the May shooting of Joseph Lewis.
Williams was not the shooter, but was accused of assaulting Lewis with an accomplice before the struggle turned fatal, the Associated Press reported.
The second teen involved, 18-year-old Alandre Boone, will be sentenced on Oct. 2. Both teens were tried as adults.
Police say Lewis was working at Victory Way Assembly Church of God in Christ on May 9 when he was killed. The teens reportedly approached Lewis around 8: 30 p.m. in the church parking lot on Tireman, between Livernois and I-96. That's when investigators say a struggle ensued and one of the attackers fired shots, hitting Lewis. Police say robbery may have been the motive.
Investigators say Lewis was armed, but his gun was found in his holster as a Detroit police officer performed CPR at the scene. Emergency crews took Lewis to a local hospital where he died.
Lewis's son, Anthony, said his father was a Korean War veteran and worked 55 years as a guard at various Detroit churches. Deacon Jimmy Jones said the church hired security about three years ago due to concerns about crime.
