Man Sentenced to 15 Years for 2022 Aggravated Malicious Wounding Paralyzing Victim

NORFOLK, Va. — Billy Deangelo Williams, 59, was sentenced on Friday to serve 15 years in prison for aggravated malicious wounding following a 2022 incident in which Mr. Williams severely beat the victim and left him paralyzed.

On June 2, 2022, the victim was riding a bike northbound on Church Street near A Avenue when Mr. Williams drove up next to him and called out to him. The victim knew Mr. Williams because Mr. Williams is the boyfriend of the victim’s cousin. The two spoke for a moment, but the conversation turned hostile when Mr. Williams began threatening the victim because Mr. Williams blamed the victim for Mr. Williams’ recent relationship issues. When the victim turned his back to Mr. Williams to run away, Mr. Williams punched him in the back of his head and knocked him to the ground. Mr. Williams continued punching and kicking the victim’s head and neck until the victim lost consciousness; Mr. Williams had broken the victim’s neck. Mr. Williams then fled in his vehicle. A security camera from a nearby building captured the entire incident.

The victim awoke to witnesses assisting him and calling 911. He was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and treated for his injuries. He was initially completely paralyzed from the neck down, required the insertion of a rod and screws in his neck, and has slowly begun to regain the use of his limbs.

A witness provided Norfolk Police with Mr. Williams’ license plate number to identify him as the suspect, and the victim was able to identify Mr. Williams by photo as his attacker. Norfolk Police secured warrants for Mr. Williams’ arrest, and he was taken into custody by Department of Defense Police on the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he worked as a contractor, on June 10, 2022.

Mr. Williams pleaded not guilty to aggravated malicious wounding and chose to be tried by jury. On Jan. 31, 2024, a jury found Mr. Williams guilty of aggravated malicious wounding.

At Mr. Williams’ sentencing hearing on Friday, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 25 years in prison due to the severity of Mr. Williams’ attack and the severe injuries to the victim. After hearing argument, Judge Joseph C. Lindsey sentenced Mr. Williams to serve 15 years in prison and suspended another 10 years on the conditions that Mr. Williams complete 10 years of supervised probation following his release and have no contact with the victim.

“Mr. Williams savagely attacked the victim, paralyzed him, and left him for dead,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “But for the lifesaving efforts of the first responders and medical professionals, the victim could have died. That is why Mr. Williams will be serving a homicide-level sentence for his crime.”

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Victoria V. Kapper prosecuted Mr. Williams’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Andrew J. Jowdy led the investigation.

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Feb. 2, 2024

Jury Convicts Man of Aggravated Malicious Wounding for Paralyzing Norfolk Man in 2022 Attack

NORFOLK, Va. — A jury convicted Billy Deangelo Williams, 59, on Wednesday of aggravated malicious wounding for a 2022 incident in which Mr. Williams attacked his ex-girlfriend’s cousin, leaving the victim paralyzed.

On June 2, 2022, the victim was riding a bike northbound on Church Street near A Avenue when Mr. Williams drove up next to him and called out to him. The victim knew Mr. Williams because Mr. Williams was the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s cousin. The two spoke for a moment, but the conversation turned hostile when Mr. Williams began threatening the victim because he blamed the victim for their recent breakup. When the victim turned his back to Mr. Williams to continue riding his bike, Mr. Williams punched him in the back of his head and knocked him to the ground. Mr. Williams continued punching and kicking the victim’s head and neck until the victim lost consciousness, then Mr. Williams fled in his vehicle.

The victim awoke to witnesses assisting him and calling 911. He was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and treated for his injuries, including a broken neck. He was initially paralyzed from the neck down, required the insertion of a rod and screws in his neck, and has slowly begun to regain the use of his limbs.

A witness provided Norfolk Police with Mr. Williams’ license plate number to identify him as the suspect, and the victim was able to identify Mr. Williams by photo as his attacker. Norfolk Police secured warrants for Mr. Williams’ arrest, and he was taken into custody by Department of Defense Police on the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he worked as a contractor, on June 10, 2022.

On Wednesday, after a day-long trial in Norfolk Circuit Court, a jury found Mr. Williams guilty of aggravated malicious wounding. Mr. Williams is docketed for sentencing on May 31.

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Victoria V. Kapper are prosecuting Mr. Williams’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Andrew J. Jowdy led the investigation.

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