Family Of Man Killed By Landlord Protests Washington County DA's Ruling, Calls For Justice
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) - The loved ones of Leonard Williams Jr., who was shot and killed in what the district attorney determined was a justified homicide, protested the ruling and demanded further action Monday.
People who knew Williams chanted and held signs calling for justice outside the Washington County Courthouse.
The 36-year-old was shot and killed by his landlord along West Walnut Street on Sept. 1.
According to District Attorney Jason Walsh, the landlord told police that after he posted Williams' property in arrears, Williams threw the notice on the ground, followed him, fought with him, threatened him and tried to get into his truck.
With the landlord inside the vehicle, Walsh says witnesses told police a struggle ensued over the driver's side door. Saying he feared for his life, the landlord shot Williams.
According to Walsh, evidence shows that Williams was the aggressor and the landlord fired in self-defense. Based on that evidence, Walsh says there will be no charges because it's a justified homicide under Pennsylvania law.
His sister-in-law says the family has been speaking with their own witnesses. Based on that they believe Williams had backed away from the truck and was begging for the landlord not to pull the trigger. At the end of the day, they say he was a good man who loved his kids.
The DA says Williams didn't have a weapon on him and the landlord did have a license to carry.