Killer OKs deal for two life sentences

Kim Smith

Monday, Feb. 25, 2002 | 9:56 a.m.

Just moments before a jury was to start hearing evidence on his penalty, convicted murderer Christopher Williams agreed Friday to serve two no-parole life terms to avoid a potential death sentence in the slaying of Song Magliari, an elderly mentally ill woman.

Williams, 20, also agreed to serve maximum sentences on other charges -- all to be served consecutively -- and waived his right to appeal, Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lalli said.

The deal ensures Williams will live out the rest of his years in prison.

"It was very good to be able to save his life without having to risk it in front of the same jury that found him guilty," Deputy Public Defender Jordan Savage said.

Prosecutors offered the deal for several reasons, Lalli said: Williams' age might have persuaded a jury to forgo the death penalty, the victims' family needed closure, and the deal eliminated the potential of an appeal.

Williams was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, sexual assault and arson in connection with Magliari's death. All but the arson were alleged to have been committed with a weapon, thus doubling the potential sentences for each.

Magliari, 64, was raped, stabbed in the heart and back, then set on fire inside her Simmons Street apartment May 8.

Several of Magliari's neighbors testified they saw Magliari scream at Williams just an hour before her death, and at least one of them saw Williams leave the scene in Magliari's car.

Williams' fingerprints matched those on Magliari's car and DNA evidence linked him to the sexual assault.

Jurors rejected Williams' story that he had consensual sex with the victim, then left in her car when he and Magliari were interrupted by her former boyfriend, whom he blamed for the slaying.

Williams, who also agreed to plead guilty to perjury Friday, will be sentenced April 4.