RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A judge has ruled that a guilty plea will stand for a woman serving time behind bars for starving her child to death.
The judge rejected a motion Friday for Ashley Williams to have get a new lawyer, so the case goes back to the original presiding judge for sentencing.
[BONUS: Read judge’s ruling on Williams motion]
Williams’ family told CBS 6 News’ Shelby Brown earlier this week that 2-year-old Desean Williams died three years ago as the result of a medical condition.
But prosecutors said the 14-pound boy was malnourished and was starved to death by his mother. [RELATED: Family: Child had rare medical condition; mom did not starve boy]
Williams eventually pled guilty to felony child abuse and involuntary manslaughter.
Altovise Williams said Wednesday that she hoped a trial would allow a medical expert that would testify that a medical condition is what killed her nephew..
“It makes me very mad,” said Williams. “When she pled guilty I knew it was wrong…. because it’s other sick children in our family.”
A claim Williams makes about her 16 pound, 1-year-old nephew. She said the boy cannot walk and is failing to thrive. In fact, Williams said her own son has serious weight issues, like Desean, and is on three to four medications to maintain his weight.
Williams said Friday that she was very upset the judge denied the motion and that she was “going to dig deeper into this.”
Williams also said she was not sure if her sister had been told about the ruling.
Richmond City Council’s Marty Jewel said he found the ruling disturbing — and that it adds to the other bizarre circumstance surrounding this trial.
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Stay with WTVR.com and CBS 6 News for updates on this developing story.
