From the start, something about Michelle Williams' story just didn't add up. She told police that a man, dressed in black and carrying a wrench, had broken into her Keller home one October morning and shot her husband, 40-year-old Gregory Williams, in the temple. But there was no sign of a break in, the K-9 unit detected no scent of an intruder, and the only sign of struggle was a small mark on Williams' forehead.
Then, rather abruptly, she changed her story. Her husband hadn't been murdered; he'd committed suicide. She'd fabricated the intruder story to protect their 4-year-old daughter from the knowledge that dad had killed himself.
Officials didn't buy this version, either. The medical examiner ruled the case a homicide then, three months later, Williams was charged her with her husband's murder.
On CNN, Nancy Grace attempted to get to the bottom of the case with her trademark brand of journo-speculation. Meanwhile, the UK's Daily Mail dubbed her a "Black Widow."
Despite prosecutors' suspicions, Williams won't be going to prison for murder. The Tarrant County District Attorney's office announced Wednesday that Williams pleaded guilty to charges of deadly conduct, for "knowingly discharging a firearm at her husband," and evidence tampering, for "repositioning and cleaning his body in order to impede the investigation."
The DA's office says it will recommend two years in prison for the deadly conduct charge and 18 for evidence tampering. Sentencing is scheduled for April 21.
In a statement, prosecutor Jack Strickland was almost apologetic: "There were serious legal and technical issues with the investigation that factored into this decision. Specifically, the defendant succeeded in destroying and doctoring evidence necessary to prove an intentional murder."
