OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — Imia Williams could not speak to the jury Wednesday during a trial in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court to tell the story of how she died.
But Assistant District Attorney Trina Davidson said Williams’ voice was still the loudest in the courtroom, with her wounds speaking for her.
“Do you hear? She’s not talking with her breath,” Davidson said during closing statements. “She’s talking with her blood.”
Marco Brown, 39, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the Teagarden Lane killing from April 12, 2023, with the jury deliberating for a little less than an hour before delivering the verdict. Judge Michelle Easterling sentenced Brown to life in prison without a chance of parole.
Williams’ body was found at the home of a friend she was staying with at the time of her death. When the friend arrived home, she called 911, with the call coming through at about 3:48 p.m. Brown, who was Williams’ boyfriend, was still at the scene by the time Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived, asleep on a nearby couch and intoxicated.
Deputies attempted to wake Brown up to arrest him, which led to an aggressive encounter where he threatened the officers, who eventually tased and subdued him. After that, the sheriff’s office secured the scene and called the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, which processed the crime scene, District Attorney Scott Colom said during a press conference Wednesday after the trial ended.
“That was so helpful in this case, because we had no witnesses,” Colom said. “We had no direct evidence. But getting MBI to process the crime scene, we were able to establish there were no other people there. We were able to collect blood and blood was sent to the crime lab.”
MBI documented blood on the door of the residence, along with blood on Brown’s palms and shirt, Colom said. The preservation of that evidence led to the conviction in the case, he said.
Throughout the case, the state pointed to the extent of bruising and other injuries on Williams’ body to show “deliberate design,” or intentionality behind the murder that raised it to a first-degree charge rather than a second-degree charge.
Deliberate intent?
During the trial, the state called on Williams’ friend who made the 911 call, along with 911 Deputy Director Jarvis Boyd, OCSO Deputies Thomas Reese and Schuler Davidson, MBI Crime Scene Investigator Austin Shepherd and Medical Examiner Dr. Frank Peretti.
Peretti identified two different causes of death – blunt force trauma and strangulation. During his testimony, he said her injuries pointed to the conclusion that Williams had collapsed and was unconscious from the blunt force attacks before she was strangled.
“Even after she was unconscious, he strangled her and took her last breath,” Davidson said during the press conference. “That to us signaled that that was a deliberate design. It was calculated, he intended to do it, and it was purposeful.”
Though the defense did not call any witnesses and Brown chose not to testify, Defense Attorney Leoghain Fair argued against the idea of the crime having “deliberate design,” saying the medical examiner could tell the jury the cause and manner of death, but not about why the crime occurred. She said while the scene was tragic and violent, that did not prove intent.
“Based on what we’ve heard, where is the design? And where is the deliberation?” Fair said during her closing argument. “What happened was violent, that’s clear. Maybe it was intentional. But what happened was also emotional and driven by factors that the law requires you to consider.”
Fair also pointed to the toxicology reports for both Williams and Brown, since both showed a blood alcohol content of more than 0.2, which she argued would have impaired Brown’s judgment and ability to commit a first-degree murder. For reference, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.
Fair also argued that falling asleep on the couch after Williams’ death showed the crime did not display deliberate intent.
During his rebuttal, Colom argued that intoxication did not relieve Brown of his responsibility for his actions, and that deliberate design includes plans to kill that are formed very quickly, even if it is only moments before the act of killing a person. He said the method of the murder showed the intention behind it.
“This is not a TV show,” Colom told the jury. “It is difficult to kill somebody by beating them. It is difficult to kill someone by punching them.”
During the press conference, Colom said this case resulted from domestic violence, specifically, a case where a victim offered the perpetrator a second chance they didn’t deserve.
“This case is a perfect example of why you do not need to give second chances to people that commit domestic violence,” Colom said. “If you’re a woman out there, and you’re hearing this, or if you know someone that’s been a victim of domestic violence … please listen to me. No second chances.”
Sheriff Shank Phelps also emphasized the reality of domestic violence during the press conference.
“If somebody is a victim of domestic violence, please get out,” Phelps said. “And if you need us to help you in any way, our doors are open 24/7.”
Williams’ aunt, Joleen Carter, spoke on behalf of the family before Brown’s sentencing.
“To anyone going through a domestic situation, get out while you can,” Carter said. “You wouldn’t want to be where … I am giving this statement, where justice for your loved one is served.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
