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Guilty verdict in Nevada County nail-gun murder

Robyn Moormeister
Sun News Service

GRASS VALLEY ” Jurors in the nail gun murder case found Richard Williams guilty this morning of first degree murder and the special circumstance of lying in wait, and he will most likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“I’m thankful that he will have a cinderblock tomb to spend his many years suffering,” said Peter Reynen, brother to victim Hetty Williams.

Reynen, of Seattle, was not able to attend the verdict Monday but gave his statement last week on the assumption his former brother-in-law-would be convicted.



None of Richard or Hetty Williams’ family attended the verdict.

Williams strangled Hetty Williams and shot her three times with a nail gun Oct. 22, 2005. The two were going through a divorce.



Richard Williams showed no emotion while the jury foreperson, a blonde woman in her 50s, read the verdict.

Williams’ lawyer Stephen Munkelt asked the jury to be polled: All 12 said they think Williams is guilty.

Richard Williams faces a maximim sentence of 51 year to life in prison without the possibility of parole, said Deputy District Attorney Kathryn Francis.

Williams is set to be sentenced in Nevada County Superior Court at 2 p.m. Jan. 3.


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