A Hazlehurst man today was sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole for his conviction of armed robbery in a 2010 holdup at a Circle K in which an employee was shot.
Christopher Williams, 23, also must serve 5 additional years on probation when he completes his custody term and will be banished from Chatham County during that time, Chatham County Superior Court Judge Timothy R. Walmsley ruled.
Williams was convicted June 7 by a Superior Court jury on charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in the Sept. 5, 2010, holdup at the Circle K on White Bluff Road. Employee Jodie Jones were wounded by debris when Williams shot at the safe.
“This was a very violent crime,” Walmsley said in imposing sentence.
While he was inclined to follow Assistant District Attorney Christy Baker’s request for 25 years to serve, the judge imposed the probation to allow some supervision after Williams’ release from prison.
“This is an exceptional crime here,” Barker argued, calling it “among the most serious we have seen.”
Williams was one of four defendants in the case with the others pleading guilty earlier.
Circuit Public Defender Michael Edwards characterized the case as one of a “young life with promised getting off track” and urged Walmsley to impose probation of part of the sentence.