Williams v. State

This appeal challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a conviction for possessing cocaine and possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime. The challenge is without merit, and we therefore affirm the conviction. Denaris Williams, Glen Cooper and Anthony Wilson were jointly indicted for felony murder, attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of cocaine. Williams was also indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The three men pled not guilty to the charges, and the trial court ordered that the defendants be tried separately.

Williams’ case proceeded to a jury trial. At the start of the trial, the court ordered that the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon be tried after the jury had reached a verdict on the other four charges. The jury subsequently found Williams not guilty of felony murder and attempted armed robbery, but guilty of possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Thereafter, Williams pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court imposed concurrent sentences of eight years for the drug offense and five years for each of the firearm offenses. Williams appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury’s verdict finding him guilty of the cocaine and firearm offenses.