Williams, 12, Sentenced To Juvenile Facility Until Age 18
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jen [email protected]
Williams, 12, who admitted to assisting his friends after they allegedly committed murder, will spend up to six years in a juvenile facility after he was sentenced in Kosciusko Juvenile Court this morning
Williams will be housed in a facility in South Bend until his 18th birthday or until a date to be determined by the facility. Williams's mother and father were ordered to attend family counseling and counseling with their son.[[In-content Ad]]Before announcing the sentence, Judge Duane Huffer described Williams's conduct in school as "reprehensible." Williams had poor grades and had been expelled. Huffer also said Williams "had ample opportunities to change things," but instead chose to leave the state and assist alleged triggermen Paul Gingerich and Colt Lundy after they killed Lundy's stepfather Phil Danner April 20.
Before beginning the sentencing part of the hearing, Huffer denied a motion requesting a continuation of the sentencing. Williams's attorney Christopher Kehler requested the continuation so private secure facilities in Terre Haute and Fort Wayne could determine if Williams would be a proper candidate for their treatment.
After the motion was denied, Kehler told Huffer, "I have gotten to know Chase pretty well over the past month. I have learned from him and his family members. He is a follower; he's not a leader. ... He needs to learn how to say 'no'."
Kehler added that Williams said he was part of the plan to leave the state, but knew nothing about the alleged plan to murder Danner until the day it happened.
"(The other boys) requested he take part and (Williams) said 'no,'" Kehler said, adding that the murder was a "horrible, tragic occurrence."
According to Kehler, Williams was afraid to back out of the plan after hearing of the alleged plan to kill Danner.
When Williams heard shots inside the house, "he hoped they were blanks, surely they were blanks. ... It turns out they weren't blanks," Kehler said.
Kehler told Huffer that Williams needs motivation in school, and the boy said he could get Bs if he tried. He added that Williams told him "I wish I was in school."
Williams, who was in the sixth grade at Wawasee Middle School, is a child of divorce who had attended five schools in six years and lived with his grandmother for a time as well.
"It's not the most stable academic background," Kehler said, adding that Williams has the potential to follow rules if he has discipline and supervision.
While in Pierceton Woods Academy, Williams has read books, including the Bible.
"He has prayed for the Danner family," Kehler said. "Chase told me, I feel bad and I feel sorry for them and I don't even know them."
After hearing Kehler's statement, Huffer said Williams was "beyond the control of his parental guardians."
Huffer said Williams chose to leave the state and assist Lundy and Gingerich, and said that for the sake of his education, safety and welfare, transferred wardship of Williams to the Indiana Department of Corrections Juvenile Division. Huffer recommended Williams be placed in the South Bend correctional facility.
"I think you are a very lucky young boy," Huffer said as he concluded the hearing.
Williams, 12, who admitted to assisting his friends after they allegedly committed murder, will spend up to six years in a juvenile facility after he was sentenced in Kosciusko Juvenile Court this morning
Williams will be housed in a facility in South Bend until his 18th birthday or until a date to be determined by the facility. Williams's mother and father were ordered to attend family counseling and counseling with their son.[[In-content Ad]]Before announcing the sentence, Judge Duane Huffer described Williams's conduct in school as "reprehensible." Williams had poor grades and had been expelled. Huffer also said Williams "had ample opportunities to change things," but instead chose to leave the state and assist alleged triggermen Paul Gingerich and Colt Lundy after they killed Lundy's stepfather Phil Danner April 20.
Before beginning the sentencing part of the hearing, Huffer denied a motion requesting a continuation of the sentencing. Williams's attorney Christopher Kehler requested the continuation so private secure facilities in Terre Haute and Fort Wayne could determine if Williams would be a proper candidate for their treatment.
After the motion was denied, Kehler told Huffer, "I have gotten to know Chase pretty well over the past month. I have learned from him and his family members. He is a follower; he's not a leader. ... He needs to learn how to say 'no'."
Kehler added that Williams said he was part of the plan to leave the state, but knew nothing about the alleged plan to murder Danner until the day it happened.
"(The other boys) requested he take part and (Williams) said 'no,'" Kehler said, adding that the murder was a "horrible, tragic occurrence."
According to Kehler, Williams was afraid to back out of the plan after hearing of the alleged plan to kill Danner.
When Williams heard shots inside the house, "he hoped they were blanks, surely they were blanks. ... It turns out they weren't blanks," Kehler said.
Kehler told Huffer that Williams needs motivation in school, and the boy said he could get Bs if he tried. He added that Williams told him "I wish I was in school."
Williams, who was in the sixth grade at Wawasee Middle School, is a child of divorce who had attended five schools in six years and lived with his grandmother for a time as well.
"It's not the most stable academic background," Kehler said, adding that Williams has the potential to follow rules if he has discipline and supervision.
While in Pierceton Woods Academy, Williams has read books, including the Bible.
"He has prayed for the Danner family," Kehler said. "Chase told me, I feel bad and I feel sorry for them and I don't even know them."
After hearing Kehler's statement, Huffer said Williams was "beyond the control of his parental guardians."
Huffer said Williams chose to leave the state and assist Lundy and Gingerich, and said that for the sake of his education, safety and welfare, transferred wardship of Williams to the Indiana Department of Corrections Juvenile Division. Huffer recommended Williams be placed in the South Bend correctional facility.
"I think you are a very lucky young boy," Huffer said as he concluded the hearing.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092