FORT WORTH — A Tarrant County jury Tuesday sentenced Michele Williams to a maximum 60 years in prison for murdering her husband and then allegedly telling a series of lies to deflect blame and delay her criminal case.
Dubbed the "Black Widow," Williams, 45, did not testify on her own behalf, and no one testified for her. In closing arguments, prosecutor Jack Strickland said no one testified for her because attorneys couldn't find anyone willing to support her.
She must serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.
After the sentence was rendered, the mother of murder victim Gregg Williams addressed the defendant. Betty Middlebrooks said her son was a devoted father. "Michele, Gregg loved and trusted you," Middlebrooks said. "Now he'll never see his daughters grow up."
Earlier, Williams' own sister testified for the state. Laura Cusik said Williams wasn't honest or law-abiding. Prosecutors told jurors Williams lied about being pregnant in order to stay out on bond.
In other testimony, an investigator said he couldn't find evidence to support Williams' claim she was pregnant with twins and miscarried while in jail. Strickland said she also slipped out of her ankle monitor and went to South Texas, which a probation officer testified to Tuesday.
Strickland rapped on the jury box with his pen, asking them to give Williams a minimum of 40 years. He called the murder a "cold blooded execution."
Evidence showed Williams shot Gregg Williams in the head as he slept on October 13, 2011. Williams now faces a maximum life sentence, which translates to 60 years. Prosecutors say she'll have to serve at least half of her sentence, which will be determined by the jury. She's not eligible for probation on the murder charge.
Jurors took seven hours Monday to convict Williams of murder and tampering with evidence, the gun.
