Raymond Keith Williams appeared for sentencing before Judge Thomas Stockard on November 14, with a charge of Battery with a Deadly Weapon Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, a Category B Felony that carries a potential penalty of 2-15 years in Nevada State Prison.
The judge requested an update regarding how Williams is doing in the Salvation Army program. Public Defender Jacob Sommer said Williams is continuing the program, he is receiving mental health counseling, has received multiple diagnoses and he is doing well with the program.
ADA Lane Mills stated Williams stabbed his 80-year-old mother in the back, pushed her down, drug her to the bedroom, and wouldn’t let her leave. Williams has a significant criminal history, including 4 prior felony convictions, and 4 prior times in prison. Mills said the court also has to consider the defendant’s illness and that his mother wants him to get help. She submitted a very long and thoughtful letter to the court. Mills said it was a very heartfelt letter and she loves her son. Mills stated there are competing interests in this case. To the defendant’s credit, he is in the Salvation Army Program and trying to do what he needs to get done. Mills asked the court to look at the totality of the picture and competing interests that we as a society have. In this event Williams’s mother was the victim, if there is another incident there’s no way to know who the victim may be. Mills said if probation is granted “this is the kind of case that the Court should order intensive supervision, very close. And a short leash on this defendant.”
Public Defender Jacob Sommer told the court he has seen a marked change in the attitude, countenance, and demeanor of his client since being in the Salvation Army program. Sommer said this incident was “terrible for all involved, but it was fueled by methamphetamines and substance abuse.” Williams is getting a grasp on that now. Sommer asked the court to grant Williams probation and allow him to continue the program he has started.
Williams emotionally apologized to his mother. He apologized to the court for his actions and thanked the Court for allowing him to do the Salvation Army program and to get help.
Williams was sentenced 72-180 months in Nevada State Prison, suspended, and placed on probation for 36 months, ordered to get a mental health evaluation, follow the recommendations of it, and complete the Salvation Army program among other conditions. The judge stated Williams is to be brought back on any probation violation. He told Williams this is a case where he usually could and probably should go to prison. He explained that he weighed that against the work Williams had done and that the victim had expressly asked that he not go to prison. The judge added, “but it is something that weighs on me very heavily because of just the violent nature of what happened.”
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