A Georgia man will spend years behind bars for a fatal shooting he claims was in self-defense.
According to the Statesboro Herald, 23-year-old William “Marc” Wilson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the death of Haley Hutcheson, a white 17-year-old he allegedly shot and killed on June 14, 2020. Authorities say the incident took place shortly before 1 a.m., when Wilson, who is Black, was driving his Ford Fusion with his then-girlfriend Emma Rigdon.
Wilson claimed that at one point during his travels, a group of white teens in a Chevy Silverado began harassing him and his girlfriend. He told police three boys were shouting racial slurs as they attempted to run his car off the road. Wilson’s attorney said the teens also threw objects at the couple and followed them for several miles, before Wilson grabbed his “legally possessed handgun” and fired shots at the trucks. One of the bullets struck Hutcheson in the head. The teen was pronounced dead shortly after her friends rushed her to the hospital.
Wilson was initially charged with felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. He was ultimately acquitted on those charges, but found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Wilson’s legal team attempted to justify the shooting with self-defense and “stand your ground” arguments.
“I fully believe Marc saved my life that night,” Rigdon said during her testimony. “I wholly believe if Marc was not there that night and wouldn’t have done what he did, we would have both been dead…Marc is not the reason Haley’s not here.”
According to the Statesboro Herald, 10 years in prison is the maximum sentence for the involuntary manslaughter charge. Wilson will reportedly get a two-year credit for time served. His lawyer said he and his team intend to appeal sentencing.
