Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

United States v. Williams

Following the district court's instructions, the jury found that appellant had committed the requisite act of violence but that he should be sentenced to life imprisonment. The district court erred in its definition of "act of violence" under the Federal Death Penalty Act, and the evidence was insufficient to establish the required threshold intent. Because sentencing should have been done by the district court and not the jury, the life sentences imposed on the capital transporting counts are vacated and remanded for resentencing by the district court on those counts. 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 07-20689, 06-30-2010

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Before KING, WIENER, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

In May 2003, Tyrone Mapletoft Williams, a commercial truck driver, transported 74 unlawful aliens from Harlingen, Texas, to Victoria, Texas. During the trip, he left the aliens locked in the trailer of his tractor–trailer without activating the trailer’s air conditioning unit; as a result, 19 aliens died of dehydration, hyperthermia, suffocation, and mechanical asphyxia. Williams was convicted of 39 separate counts arising out of that trip. For the 20 counts that were capital charges, the Federal Death Penalty Act contemplated that the jury would determine the appropriate sentence if it first found a threshold intent that would justify imposing a sentence of death. The applicable threshold intent required that Williams have engaged in an “act of violence” in committing the capital offenses. Following the district court’s instructions, the jury found that Williams had committed the requisite act of violence but that he should be sentenced to life imprisonment. We conclude that the district court erred in its definition of act of violence and that, under the correct definition, the evidence at trial cannot support a finding that the requisite threshold intent was met. While we affirm Williams’s convictions and his sentences to terms of years, we vacate his life sentences and remand for resentencing by the district court.

I. BACKGROUND

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Middle East Legal Awards 2024
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2024
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More
Pennsylvania Legal Awards 2024
May 15, 2024
Philadelphia, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Senior In-House Contracts Administrator

A large and well-established Tampa company is seeking a contracts administrator to support the company's in-house attorney and manage a wide...


Apply Now ›
COMMERCIAL FINANCE ATTORNEY - STAMFORD, HARTFORD OR NEW HAVEN OFFICES

We are seeking an attorney to join our commercial finance practice in either our Stamford, Hartford or New Haven offices. Candidates should ...


Apply Now ›
CORPORATE ATTORNEY (8+ Years) - REMOTE, CT

We are seeking an attorney to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of general corporat...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
MELICK & PORTER, LLP
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy, P.C.
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Robbins Alloy Belinfante Littlefield
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements