Tyrone Williams, a truck driver whose actions led to the death of 19 illegal immigrants in 2003 will get a new sentence for his part in the crime. A 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the life without parole sentence given to Williams by a Houston jury. A three-judge panel ruled that Williams did not commit an “act of violence” that caused the immigrants’ deaths. The appeals court ruled that an “act of violence” must involve the use of physical force. Nineteen of the 74 immigrants in the back of Williams’ truck suffocated as he drove them across South Texas. The only interaction Williams had with the immigrants was to pass bottles of water to them through holes in the trailer. Ultimately, Williams showed extreme poor judgment and negligence when he chose not to open the trailer doors even when he became aware that something was not right. Because he did not use any type of physical force, the court has decided to overturn the life without parole verdict and will likely sentence him with something less. On related charges, Williams was sentenced to 34 years and 20 years, that the court left untouched in this ruling.
David Breston is a Houston parole attorney. If you need a Houston parole lawyer call David Breston at 713 224 4040.
