Christopher Reginald Williams | Homicide Watch DC

"I Just Wanted Him to Feel How I Felt When I Was Robbed," Williams Says About Kevin Blackwell Jr. Murder

Penny Ray — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:05:26 -0500

Wayne Jackson, Harold Proctor, and Christopher Williams were sentenced to prison terms Friday for their involvement in the Dec. 2011 stabbing death of 20-year-old Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Judge Ronna Beck sentenced Jackson to the longest term – 24 years. Williams received a 22-year sentence, and Proctor was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

The three men pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy charges in connection with Blackwell's death in November; Williams and Proctor also pled guilty to obstruction of justice.

Williams, who orchestrated the attack on Blackwell, expressed regret Friday.

According to the plea agreements signed by each party, Williams and Proctor had been robbed several months prior to their attack on Blackwell, and they believed that Blackwell had arranged that robbery.

“I apologize to the Blackwell family; I'm honestly sorry,” Williams said. “I never meant for Kevin to die. I just wanted him to feel how I felt when I was robbed. Please forgive me.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Nielsen said that prosecutors didn't know if Blackwell had been responsible for the robbery.

“The government has no evidence that K.J. setup that robbery,” Nielsen said. “Based on an assumption, they decided to retaliate.”

The plea documents say that Williams asked a fourth co-conspirator to arrange a meeting with Blackwell in order to lure him outside. When the conspirators arrived at Blackwell's house, Williams and Jackson laid-in-wait, while Proctor sat in the car with the engine idling.

Once they saw Blackwell, Williams and Jackson chased him down on foot, and Proctor followed in the vehicle. Before he was caught, Blackwell managed to call 911; his subsequent beating was recorded. The audio was played in court Friday.

The call begins with the dispatcher asking the location of the emergency; Blackwell is unable to answer the question. Kicking and punching can be heard throughout the call.

“I don't got nothin',” Blackwell says.

“Don't get up, cuz, move your hands. Give me your motherf— ”

“I don't got nothin'”

“Work his pockets.”

“Owww!” Blackwell screams.

One defendant asks, “Where that s— at, n—?”

Another says, “Watch out, I'ma stab this n— up.”

Blackwell continues to plead, “I don't got nothin'.”

“Move your hands, or I'll stab your a—.”

“Come up off that North Face, cuz. I'm taking all this s—.”

Finally Blackwell says, “Alright, you can have it.”

The men continue to kick and punch Blackwell, while telling him to give them his coat. Then one of them yells that it's time to go.

“Come on, before the police show up!”

“Nah, I'm about to stab that n—, son.”

“No! I don't got nothin',” Blackwell screams.

Before the call drops out, the fourth co-conspirator can be heard asking, “Are you still mad at me now?”

Blackwell died from a stab wound to the chest which punctured his heart; the conspirators took his cell phone and his North Face jacket.

“It was not a mere cut, or a mere slashing motion,” Nielsen said. “It was intent to kill.”

Blackwell's mother, Sabrina Wilson, addressed the three defendants in court Friday.

“To have my son murdered the way he was is really a hurt feeling,” she said. “But I really and truly forgive you for what you have done. If I don't, I wouldn't be able to move on.”

Blackwell's youngest sister, who is still in high school, spoke in court and said that she has turned the pain from the killing into something positive.

She said she has begun to focus more on her schoolwork and that her grades have improved. She also said that she plans to join the U.S. Air Force, something Blackwell inspired her to do.

“But I'm sad that he will never see me graduate or go to prom,” she said.

Prosecutors used Facebook messages to show that after the attack, the three defendants conspired to obstruct the police investigation. They attempted to have an anonymous caller tell police that someone else committed the murder, prosecutors said.

Before reading the terms of each sentence, Judge Beck acknowledged that the defendants each had minimal prior contact with the criminal justice system. Proctor had no criminal history, which is “very unusual” in a homicide case, Beck said.

“This is one of those cases where I wish that we had the real kind of power to reverse what happened; this is a case that I'm really saddened by,” Beck told the court. “But what's particularly troubling is that this was an assault that was planned ahead of time, and it was very vicious.”

Sentencing documents and the press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office are below.

Three Men Sentenced to Prison Terms For 2011 Stabbing in Southeast Washington
Defendants Lured Victim to Scene, Stabbed, and Robbed Him; Attack Captured on Victim’s 911 Call

WASHINGTON – Wayne Jackson, 23, of Capitol Heights, Md., Harold Proctor, 20, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Christopher Williams, 21, of Landover, Md., were sentenced today to prison terms of 24 years, 19 years, and 22 years, respectively, for the 2011 slaying of a man in Southeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.

The defendants pled guilty in November 2012, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to second-degree murder while armed and related charges. Proctor and Williams also pled guilty to obstructing justice for their role in attempting to interfere in the murder investigation. They were sentenced by the Honorable Ronna L. Beck. Upon completion of their prison terms, the defendants will be placed on five years of supervised release.

At the sentencings today, Judge Beck noted the viciousness of the murder, and expressed sympathy for the victim’s family.

According to the government’s evidence, on Dec. 17, 2011, the defendants and a co-conspirator, who previously pled guilty in this case, devised a plan to rob and assault the victim, Kevin Blackwell, Jr., 20. Proctor drove Williams, Jackson, and the co-conspirator to the 900 block of Burns Street SE, and the co-conspirator lured the victim outside. Armed with a knife and brass knuckles, Williams and Jackson got out of the car and waited to ambush Mr. Blackwell. Proctor and the co-conspirator kept the car idling nearby.

At about 10:30 p.m., when Mr. Blackwell came into sight, Williams and Jackson chased him down the street. Mr. Blackwell tripped and fell to the ground, and Williams and Jackson attacked him with the knife and brass knuckles. Proctor drove the car to the location where the victim fell, got out of the car, and joined in the attack. Jackson stabbed the victim in the chest.
During the attack, Mr. Blackwell was able to call 911 on his cell phone and the robbery and murder were captured on the 911 call.

The defendants took Mr. Blackwell’s cell phone and North Face jacket and fled the area. Proctor drove the defendants and the co-conspirator away from the scene and back into Maryland. The next day, the victim’s cell phone and North Face jacket were discovered in Proctor’s bedroom.

During the investigation into the murder, both Proctor and Williams contacted the co-conspirator and asked the co-conspirator to mislead law enforcement by blaming the other for the murder. Williams also threatened the co-conspirator if the co-conspirator “snitched.”

In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detectives, officers, and crime scene technicians who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Ethel Gregory, Marian Russell, and Sandra Lane; Lead Paralegal Sharon Newman; Victim/Witness Advocate Tamara Ince, and Criminal Investigator John Marsh. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Gripkey and Kimberley Nielsen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Wayne Jackson, Harold Proctor, Christopher Williams Plead Guilty in Murder of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Sam Pearson — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:40:07 -0500

Three defendants pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder charges in the 2011 death of 20-year-old Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Wayne Jackson, 23, Harold Proctor, 20, and Christopher Williams, 21, were indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder charges in August for what prosecutors said was a killing motivated by revenge.

Blackwell, according to prosecutors, had assaulted and robbed Proctor and Williams. Proctor, Williams and Jackson, along with another man, attacked Blackwell at the 900 block of Burns Street Southeast on Dec. 17, 2011 to get back at him for the crime, prosecutors said.

The men arranged to meet Blackwell outside of his home. Then, while Proctor sat in their idling vehicle, Williams and Jackson waited outside and ambushed Blackwell with a knife and brass knuckles. Blackwell called 911 on his cell phone before his attackers stole the phone and his North Face jacket, according to prosecutors.

Proctor and Williams also pled guilty to charges of obstructing justice. Prosecutors say the men attempted to get the fourth attacker – who was a witness in the case – to provide false information to investigators.

The defendants' charges carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Judge Ronna Beck is scheduled to sentence them Feb. 22, 2013.

A press release fro the US Attorney's Office is below.

Three Men Plead Guilty to Second-Degree Murder While Armed
In 2011 Stabbing in Southeast Washington
Defendants Lured Victim to Scene, Stabbed, and Robbed Him;
Attack Captured on Victim’s 911 Call

WASHINGTON – Wayne Jackson, 23, of Capitol Heights, Md., Harold Proctor, 20, of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Christopher Williams, 21, of Landover, Md., have pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed and related charges for the 2011 slaying of a man in Southeast Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced today.

The defendants entered their pleas on Nov. 16, 2012, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Proctor and Williams also pled guilty to obstructing justice for their role in attempting to interfere in the murder investigation.

The Honorable Ronna L. Beck scheduled sentencing for Feb. 22, 2013. All three men face up to 40 years of incarceration for the murder charge. Proctor and Williams each face up to an additional 30 years of incarceration for obstructing justice.

According to the government’s evidence, on Dec. 17, 2011, the defendants and a co-conspirator, who previously pled guilty in this case, devised a plan to rob and assault the victim, Kevin Blackwell, Jr., 20. Proctor drove Williams, Jackson, and the co-conspirator to the 900 block of Burns Street SE, and the co-conspirator lured the victim outside. Armed with a knife and brass knuckles, Williams and Jackson got out of the car and waited to ambush Mr. Blackwell. Proctor and the co-conspirator kept the car idling nearby.

At about 10:30 p.m., when Mr. Blackwell came into sight, Williams and Jackson chased him down the street. Mr. Blackwell tripped and fell to the ground, and Williams and Jackson attacked him with the knife and brass knuckles. Proctor drove the car to the location where the victim fell, got out of the car, and joined in the attack. Jackson stabbed the victim in the chest.
During the attack, Mr. Blackwell was able to call 911 on his cell phone and the robbery and murder were captured on the 911 call.

The defendants took Mr. Blackwell’s cell phone and North Face jacket and fled the area. Proctor drove the defendants and the co-conspirator away from the scene and back into Maryland. The next day, the victim’s cell phone and North Face jacket were discovered in Proctor’s bedroom.

During the investigation into the murder, both Proctor and Williams contacted the co-conspirator and asked the co-conspirator to mislead law enforcement by blaming the other for the murder. Williams also threatened the co-conspirator if the co-conspirator “snitched.”

In announcing the guilty pleas, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the detectives, officers, and crime scene technicians who investigated the case for the Metropolitan Police Department. He also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Ethel Gregory, Marian Russell, and Sandra Lane; Lead Paralegal Sharon Newman; Victim/Witness Advocate Tamara Ince, and Criminal Investigator John Marsh. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Gripkey and Kimberley Nielsen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Harold Proctor, Christopher Williams, and Wayne Jackson Indicted in "Revenge" Stabbing Death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Penny Ray — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:25:45 -0400

A grand jury has charged Harold Proctor, Christopher Williams and Wayne Jackson with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

The indictment, issued in August, also charges the men with aggravating circumstances — which could carry an additional penalty if they are convicted of murder.

The indictment charges that on Dec. 17, 2011, Proctor, Williams and Jackson, along with another co-conspirator, robbed, assaulted and killed Blackwell at the 900 block of Burns Street SE.

Blackwell had previously assaulted and robbed Proctor and Williams and the attack on Blackwell was in retaliation for that crime, the indictment alleges.

According to the indictment, the co-conspirator convinced Blackwell to leave his home to meet them somewhere, but the group waited outside for him.

Williams and Jackson then chased Blackwell on foot, armed with a knife and brass knuckles, while Proctor followed in a vehicle, according to the indictment.

When they caught up to Blackwell, they stole his coat and cell phone, before stabbing him several times. Blackwell died in January.

Witnesses told the grand jury that Proctor, Williams and Jackson were intoxicated at the time of the crime and continued to drink afterward. Officers found Blackwell at about 10:30 p.m., according to charging documents.

Witnesses who testified before the grand jury said that moments after the assault, Proctor, Williams and Jackson were intoxicated more than they had ever been before. Prosecutors used emails, text messages, and Facebook posts to build the case.

Witness statements and Grand Jury documents are below.

Note: Due to staffing, Homicide Watch DC did not publish between mid-August and mid-October. This is among the cases we are going back to cover and we apologize for the delay in publishing.

Christopher Williams Waives Right to Preliminary Hearing for Kevin Blackwell Murder

Rebecca Zisser — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:22:54 -0400

Christopher Williams, 20, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

Williams is one of three suspects in the January stabbing death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Judge Ronna Beck found substantial probability in the case for co-defendant, Harold Proctor, and probable cause for co-defendant, Wayne Jackson.

According to charging documents in the cases, detectives believe Blackwell was killed in a “revenge” robbery.

At Proctor’s preliminary hearing, Detective Wayne Marable said Proctor, and another male, had recently been victims of a robbery perpetrated by Blackwell.

Williams is scheduled for a felony status conference on July 13.

Wayne Jackson Held in Stabbing Death of Kevin Blackwell

Stephanie Czekalinski — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:40:59 -0500

A D.C. Superior Court judge ordered Wayne Jackson be held after a preliminary hearing today in the stabbing death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Jackson, 22, of Capitol Heights Md., is charged with felony murder. His case joins those of Harold Maurice Proctor and Christopher Reginald Williams, also suspected in Blackwell’s death.

During the hearing held March 2, the judge listened to the 911 call Blackwell made shortly before he was stabbed to death in Dec.

The recording captures Blackwell's assailants' conversation during the attack. Blackwell can be heard pleading for his life.

According to charging documents in the cases, detectives believe Blackwell was killed in a “revenge” robbery.

At Proctor’s preliminary hearing, Detective Detective Wayne Marable said Proctor, and another male, had recently been victims of a robbery perpetrated by Blackwell.

In that robbery, a woman Proctor and others were hanging out with had set Blackwell up to rob them. When the woman suggested on Dec. 17 that she “get money” from Blackwell, the three men agreed and Proctor drove them, at the woman’s direction, to Blackwell’s house in Southeast DC. One of the men in the car with Proctor, angry with Blackwell about the robbery, said Blackwell “had to die,” Marable testified.

When the foursome arrived in Southeast DC, the woman pointed them towards Blackwell’s house, then lured Blackwell, Marable said. The following moments were captured in a 911 call, which was played Friday at Proctor’s hearing.

“Stab this n**** up.”
“Work his pockets.”
“Give me your phone.”
“Come up off that North Face cuz.”
“Get in the f***ing car… C’mon before the police show up.”
“Nah son, I’m bout to stab this n*** up.”

The affidavits in the case against Williams and Jackson includes statements Proctor made to detectives while listening to that 911 call, explaining to detectives what was happening.

Jackson is expected for a preliminary hearing March 3. Williams is expected for a status hearing Friday. Proctor’s case is set for a status hearing April 6.

Wayne Jackson Arrested in Fatal "Revenge Robbery" of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Laura Amico — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:32:38 -0500

A third suspect has been arrested on suspicion of felony murder in connection with the stabbing death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Wayne A. Jackson, a 22-year-old Capitol Heights Md. man, was presented with the charge today at DC Superior Court. His case joins those of Harold Maurice Proctor and Christopher Reginald Williams, also suspected in Blackwell's death.

According to charging documents in the cases, detectives believe Blackwell was killed in a “revenge” robbery.

At Proctor’s preliminary hearing, Detective Detective Wayne Marable said Proctor, and another male, had recently been victims of a robbery perpetrated by Blackwell.

The affidavits in the case against Williams and Jackson includes statements Proctor made to detectives while listening to that 911 call, explaining to detectives what was happening.

Jackson is expected for a preliminary hearing March 3. Williams is expected for a status hearing Friday. Proctor's case is set for a status hearing April 6.

Two of Four People Believed to Have Taken Part in Fatal Robbery of Kevin Blackwell Now in Custody

Laura Amico — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:02:16 -0500

Two of four people believed to have taken part in a fatal robbery in December are now in custody and detectives have been in contact with a third.

Harold Proctor was arrested Dec. 27 and Christopher Williams was arrested Jan. 20. Each are suspected of first-degree felony murder while armed in the stabbing death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Charging documents indicate that a third person involved in the robbery has been in touch with detectives and is a witness in the case.

They also indicate that a fourth person, Wayne Antwon Jackson, is wanted in connection with the murder. An affidavit in support of an arrest warrant for Williams includes Jackson's name, stating that there is probable cause to arrest both Williams and Jackson.

The US Attorney's Office said Monday that Jackson is not in custody; court records do not show any open cases in that name.

Jackson, who turned 22 in October, was last known to be living in Capitol Heights, Md.

According to initial charging documents in the case against Proctor, Blackwell was killed in a "revenge" robbery.

At Proctor's preliminary hearing, Detective Detective Wayne Marable said Proctor, and another male, had recently been victims of a robbery perpetrated by Blackwell.

The affidavit in the case against Williams and Jackson includes statements Proctor made to detectives while listening to that 911 call, explaining to detectives what was happening.

Williams is scheduled for a preliminary hearing with Judge Ronna Beck on Feb. 3.

Proctor was ordered held on substantial probability by Judge Beck on Jan. 6.

Charging documents in Williams' case are below.

Christopher Reginald Williams Arrested in Stabbing Death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

Laura Amico — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:50:48 -0500

Christopher Reginald Williams, a 20-year-old Landover, Md. man, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of first degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of Kevin Blackwell Jr.

MPD's press release is after the jump.

January 19, 2012

Second Arrest Made in the Homicide in the 900 Block of Burns Street, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that a second arrest has been made in the homicide which occurred in the 900 block of Burns Street, SE.

On December 17, 2011, at approximately 10:36 pm, units from the Sixth District responded to the 900 block of Burns Street, SE to investigate a simple assault. Upon arriving, officers discovered an adult male suffering from a stab wound to the body. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 20-year-old Kevin Blackwell Jr.

On Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at approximately 10:30 am, an adult male was charged with Felony Murder, pursuant to an arrest warrant in this case.

On Thursday, January 19, 2012, 20-year-old Christopher Reginald Williams of Landover, MD was arrested after he turned himself in at the Homicide Branch, pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him with First Degree Murder in the death of Kevin Blackwell, Jr.