Florence, SC: Lake City man gets 23 years for ex-wife's slaying

FLORENCE, SC --
A Lake City man has been sentenced to 23 years in state prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of his ex-wife in 2008, 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements III said.

Rodney Williams, 53, of Windwright Road, was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in the death of 47-year-old Della R. Williams.

At the request of both the victim’s and suspect’s families, Rodney Williams was allowed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, Clements said. The weapon charge was dismissed as part of the plea.

The shooting happened at 9:40 a.m. Sept. 10, 2008, Florence County Coroner M.G. “Bubba” Matthews said.

A family member found Della Williams in the front yard of her home, at 1803 Perry Lane, and Florence County sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene about 11 a.m.

Della Williams died at the scene as the apparent result of gunshot wounds, Matthews said.

Deputies arrested Rodney Williams about 8 hours after the shooting. He had no criminal history before then, Clements said.

Twelfth Circuit Judge Thomas Russo could have sentenced Rodney Williams to as many as 30 years in prison on the manslaughter charge, Clements said.

Rodney Williams’ health problems delayed the proceedings from the time the crime occurred Clements said. He opted to plead guilty to the manslaughter charge Wednesday, before his trial was scheduled to begin Monday, to spare the family further grief.

Clements said Rodney Williams’ three grown children, as well as his former sister-in-law and other members of his family, were present for Wednesday’s “very emotional” proceedings.