Hawaii's first capital murder trial has come to an end with a deadlocked jury. Ex-solider, Naeem Williams will spend the rest of his life in prison after being found guilty of torturing and killing his young daughter.
"In July 2005 William's daughter, Talia, died of a head injury after being beaten at the family's military quarters ... Evidence showed she was tortured for months, starved, duct taped and struck with a ruler a belt and her father's fist, often after she soil herself. " (Via Hawaii News Now)
Talia's stepmother, Delilah Williams, also reportedly played a hand in the abuse. Williams is serving 20 years for her role after testifying "that she also stomped on Talia and lifted her up by the hair, sometimes pulling out clumps of it." (Via Star Advertiser)
Talia went to live with her father and stepmother in Hawaii when she was 4 years old. She died just seven months later.
Because the killing took place on a military base, Wheeler Army Air Field, it is considered a federal case. (Via YouTube / desktopview)
The jury deliberated for seven days on whether Williams should serve life in prison or be sentenced to death. They eventually came to an 8-4 decision with the majority favoring death, lacking the unanimous decision needed for capital punishment. (Via KHOU)
Those same 12 jurors found Williams guilty of two capital offenses in April — one for the murder of Talia and the other for the torture of the young girl. (Via West Hawaii Today)
Williams, who is now 34, will be back in court again in October for his official sentencing. As for Talia's biological mother — she has reportedly expressed relief the trial is finally over.
