Washington Heights Mom Beaten to Death in Front of 7-Year-Old Daughter, Suspect Arraigned
Tiliek Shamel Thompson, 41, faces murder charges for the Sept. 6 killing of Lovay Williams, 27, in her NYC apartment. The victim's father demanded the "gas chamber" during Sunday's arraignment.
Suspect in NYC Mom's Fatal Beating Pleads for Jail Protection at Arraignment
Tiliek Shamel Thompson, 41, appeared in Manhattan court Sunday on charges of murder and strangulation in the brutal Sept. 6 killing of Lovay Williams, 27, inside her Washington Heights apartment — with his victim's family screaming for his execution from the gallery, NY Post Metro reports.
Thompson allegedly beat Williams to death while her 7-year-old daughter was present in the home, then left the child alone with the body. He subsequently made two trips back to the apartment to remove evidence, carting items away in "distinct" blue shopping bags, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Michael Perez told the court. Surveillance video captured Thompson entering the apartment on Sept. 5 and departing the following day.
After the killing, Thompson fled. He turned himself in Saturday at the 33rd Precinct stationhouse after receiving numerous threats, according to his attorney, Neville "Nod" Mitchell. Thompson was ordered held without bail.
Family Erupts in Court
Williams' father, Nuquan Williams, could not contain his rage during the arraignment before Judge Linda Capitti.
"Give him the gas chamber!" he shouted at the judge.
Outside court, the victim's aunt, Missy Wright, directed her anger at Thompson's request for protective custody in jail — a request Judge Capitti ultimately granted.
"How dare you ask for protected custody," Wright said. "How dare you ask the courts to protect you."
Cousin Lexus Singleton was equally incensed by Mitchell's courtroom presentation. "His lawyer tried to make him like he was an angel, and it was a slap in the face to the family," Singleton said. "But one thing I will say, we will get justice, and we have strong evidence on this case. So he will not get away with this."
Singleton also told reporters that Thompson cut his hair after the killing in an attempt to evade detection by police.
Defense Raises Doubts
Mitchell asked the court to withhold judgment, noting that his client has "a psych diagnosis." He also suggested at one point that another person could have entered and exited the crime scene through a window — a remark that drew an audible, profane reaction from a family member in the courtroom.
"I'm just asking people to let the process play out," Mitchell said Sunday. "Whatever my client is charged with and found guilty or not guilty of, we're here to adjudicate that specifically with respect to my client."
Family Had Known Suspect for Years
Williams' sister, Asia Walker, said the family had a long prior acquaintance with Thompson, making the alleged attack difficult to comprehend.
"It's confusing to me because we knew this man for too long," Walker said. "I don't even know what caused this. I can't remember her saying they even argued before."
Williams' mother, Moinica Manners, said Sunday that her granddaughter — the 7-year-old who witnessed the killing — is "holding up the best that a 7-year-old that witnessed such a heinous crime could."
Nuquan Williams told NY Post Metro earlier Sunday that Thompson had no real choice but to surrender. "The heat was on and either way he was gonna get caught," he said. "The streets were looking for him. Law enforcement was looking for him, and he knew he had to do the right thing by turning himself in to face what he did, because he knew he was wrong."
Thompson is due back in court Friday.
Source: NY Post Metro