Man Found Guilty In Tulsa Murder Case

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A jury has found a Tulsa man guilty on counts of felony murder and shooting with intent to kill, among other charges.

It took the jury four hours to come back with a guilty verdict for Jermaine Jeffery. It also recommended a life sentence with parole for the murder charge. Jeffery will have to serve at least 38 years before he is eligible for parole.

On the other counts, the jury sentenced Jeffery to 44 years. A judge will determine whether the sentences will run concurrently at a formal sentencing.

The family of the 19-year-old he killed says this process has been painful but well worth the wait.

It's been a year and a half since Keishia Williamson was killed, but her family says they now have the judgment they've waited for.

"I'm relieved," Keishia's aunt Willette Williamson said. "And I'm gonna say justice is not [as] slow as some people consider it. And it's definitely worth the wait."

Police say Jeffery tried to shoot his girlfriend, fled the scene, and that's when he slammed into the back of Williamson's car.

Jeffery's attorney claims he didn't mean to kill anyone and the gun just went off.

She tried to convince the jury that her client was guilty of reckless handling of a weapon and negligent homicide, both misdemeanors.

But the jury convicted Jeffery on a string of felony counts, including shooting with intent to kill. Because Keishia was killed while Jeffery was committing a felony, her death is first-degree murder.

"I do want to say that I'm glad the case is over with, and he's gonna have to suffer the consequences," Keishia's cousin Cymmone Williamson said.

The Williamsons say nothing will bring Keishia back, so it's somewhat of a hollow victory. But they do want people to know what type of person was lost.

"And the thing I want people to remember about her is her heart," Willette Williamson said. "It was definitely reflected in the way she carried herself and the actions and decisions she made in her life."

Keishia's aunt says she was beautiful inside and out and she is sorely missed.

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