Jury finds Greyhound bus shooter sane
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County jury on Wednesday found Anthony Devonte Williams, who opened fire on a Greyhound bus four years ago, sane at the time of the shooting.
Williams, 37, will be sentenced to a life term in prison. He nodded his head when the verdict was read.
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Sentencing is set for June 6.
Williams’ attorney, Deputy Public Defender Nick Roth, said afterward, “Of course I’m disappointed in the jury’s sanity finding, but it is very clear that the jury was incredibly thoughtful in their deliberations and considered all of the evidence that was presented to them.
“It is my sincere hope that Mr. Williams receives the mental health treatment that he needs, and that the victims in this case and their families receive some amount of closure, now that the trial has concluded.”
Prosecutor Stephanie Taconi said she’ll be requesting the maximum sentence.
“This was a horrific act of violence that forever changed the lives of dozens of people,” she said. “We are very grateful for the time and dedication the jurors gave to this matter in seeing that justice was served for all of the victims.”
Last month, Williams was found guilty of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, among other offenses. The sanity phase of his trial began immediately afterward, with witnesses including psychiatrists testifying on whether they believed he was legally insane at the time of the shooting.
If found insane, he would have been sent to a mental hospital.
Greyhound bus shooter guilty on all counts
Early Feb. 3, 2020, Williams began shooting on a bus traveling north on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine. Lurbis Elena Vance, 51, was hit multiple times and died at the scene, and another woman was hit and paralyzed from the chest down. Four others were also struck.
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