Man Released From Jail Because of Corona-Virus Killed Man Next Day

Edward Williams, 26, of Tampa,

By R.J. Johnson – @rickerthewriter Apr 15, 2020

A Florida man who was freed from jail last month due to fears that the coronavirus could spread in corrections facilities, is now accused of killing a man one day after he was released, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Edward Williams, 26, of Tampa, was arrested last month on March 13 on suspicion of heroin possession, a third-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, jail records show. As COVID-19 began to spread through the nation, a state judge authorized the sheriff’s office “to release any pretrial detainee arrested for a municipal or county ordinance violation, a misdemeanor offense, a criminal traffic offense,or a third-degree felony offense.”

Williams was one of about 100 inmates released from custody pending their trial on March 19.

“The order was drafted in an effort to lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19 within the Hillsborough County detention facilities and to protect the inmates, deputies and civilian staff working within the jails,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.

On March 20, police say Williams became involved in the fatal shooting of a man in a community called Progress Village.

“There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, non-violent offense,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.

“As a result, I call on the State Attorney to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law. Every murder, every violent crime, especially those involving a gun, is a sickening example of the worst in our community, especially at a time when our community is working relentlessly to fight against the spread of this deadly COVID-19.”

The statement by the sheriff’s office said Williams had been eligible for release on the prior charges if he’d been able to come up with the $2,500 bond.

“Judges, prosecutors, and Sheriffs around the country are facing difficult decisions during this health crisis with respect to balancing public health and public safety,” Chronister added. “Sheriffs in Florida and throughout our country have released non-violent, low-level offenders to protect our deputies and the jail population from an outbreak.”

Williams was re-arrested on Monday and is now facing additional charges of second-degree murder, gun possession, violently resisting an officer, drug possession, paraphernalia possession, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said. Williams is currently in jail with no bond, jail records showed Wednesday.

Photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Source: WXTX