Robert Williams was sentenced to death by the State of Ohio for the murder of Velma McDowell
According to court documents Robert Williams would break into the home of eighty eight year old Velma McDowell. The woman would be sexually assaulted and murdered
Robert Williams would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
Robert Williams Photos
Robert Williams Now
Number
A381764
DOB
06/05/1964
Gender
Male
Race
Black
Admission Date
09/08/1999
Institution
Chillicothe Correctional Institution
Status
INCARCERATED
Robert Williams Case
A man who told police he had consensual sex with an 88-year-old woman but had nothing to do with her death was convicted Wednesday of killing and raping her.
Robert Williams Jr., 35, told police that Velma McDowell invited him into her apartment Feb. 18 and they had sex. He said he panicked afterward and placed a pair of pantyhose around her neck, pulling once but not killing her.
A jury convicted Williams of murder, rape, burglary and robbery. Jurors will begin deciding Thursday whether he should be sentenced to die or given life in prison. Prosecutors will push for the death penalty.
Defense attorney Merle Dech said he wouldn’t comment until the sentence is determined.
Williams was staying with his mother at the apartment complex where Mrs. McDowell lived. Neighbors said Mrs. McDowell often left her door open and they saw Williams near her apartment around the time of the slaying.
He shoved a rag down her throat, raped her and strangled her with the pantyhose, police said. He admitted taking about $300 from her purse to pay for a car and crack cocaine.
