OCT 11, 2019

Thanksgiving Day killer sentenced to life in prison

(COLUMBIA, S.C,) - Oct. 11, 2019Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that a man accused of a Thanksgiving Day 2016 murder has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. On Thursday, a Lexington County jury found Michael Williams guilty of Murder and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime.

“This was a senseless and cold-blooded murder,” Attorney General Wilson said. “I’m thankful that investigators were able to catch this killer and develop a strong case and my team was able to get this man off the streets for life.”

On Thanksgiving Day of 2016 at 2:00 p.m., Michael Williams, 28, shot Kevadric Pressley, who was 21 years old, once in the head on Harmony Church Lane in Lexington County.  Kevadric was supposed to be buying a gun from Williams. But instead of exchanging the gun, Williams shot Kevadric in the head and drove off.  Nakerrius Pressley, the victim’s brother, and Dayyan Felder, a friend of Williams and Nakerrius, witnessed the incident and told police that Williams shot Kevadric.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department was interviewing Williams’ girlfriend when he pulled up at her house. Williams fled from the police, getting into a short high-speed chase before crashing his car and attempting to run. Williams was caught by a K-9 and officers.  In the area where Williams ran, officers recovered a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun.  Officers also recovered a .45 caliber casing from Williams’ car and recovered the .45 caliber bullet in the door of the victim’s car. SLED confirmed the casing and bullet were fired by the gun found near Williams.

Judge William Keesley sentenced Williams to life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Savanna Goude and Assistant Attorney General Joel Kozak and investigated by Valerie Williams.

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