Suspects Found Guilty In Towson Town Center Murder Trial
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ)— A gang hit. A teenager was gunned down outside Towson Town Center days before Christmas. Now two men who prosecutors say were part of a killing team are convicted in his death. It's a crime that rocked shoppers and the community.
Meghan McCorkell has details on the verdict.
Frank Williams and William Ward were found guilty of first-degree murder. Now prosecutors vow to push for life in prison without parole.
Prosecutors say 32-year-old Frank Williams and 45-year-old William Ward are power players in a dangerous gang. Days before Christmas, they followed 19-year-old Rodney Pridget Jr. around Towson Town Center. When he stepped outside, they ordered a younger gang member to shoot him six times.
"When you have two individuals who have the power to order someone to kill someone else, that just shows how dangerous they are," said Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
Investigators say Williams ordered the hit on Pridget because he thought the teen shot his cousin. Pridget was spotted in the mall by Jermell Brandon, who took a plea deal. He testified he notified Williams, who brought a killing team to the mall.
Police reviewed more than 200 surveillance cameras at Towson Town Center to show how the men stalked their victim. Cell phone records showed how the four communicated when Pridget left the mall. Detectives say 20-year-old Tyrone Brown pulled the trigger.
Days after the shooting, Pridget's father, who didn't want to be identified, spoke to WJZ.
"They need to be in jail. You can't go around here killing people, thinking you can get away with it," he said.
The alleged masterminds now face sentencing.
"When you have that kind of power, you should never walk free again," Shellenberger said.
Prosecutors want to make sure these two never do.
The alleged shooter, Tyrone Brown, is being tried separately. His case has been pushed back to sometime next year.
Sentencing for Ward and Williams has been set for October 12.
