Opening Arguments Begin in Trial of Lawton Starvation Death
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: February 21, 2013
Opening arguments are underway in the trial of a former Fort Sill soldier charged in the starvation death of a 10-year-old boy. Private Connell Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge of first degree murder.
A jury was selected late yesterday afternoon after seven full days of attorneys filtering through potential jurors.
Federal court employees say 12 jurors and two alternates were selected. Williams is on trial in the U.S. courthouse in Lawton for the May, 2011 death of Marcus Holloway, the son of his girlfriend Candice Holloway.
She told investigators her son was fed only rice cakes, cereal bars, and water to drink on most days and was beaten severely if he stole food. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and is expected to testify in Williams' trial. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
