Teen Guilty of Murdering His Parents

By Mari Payton
mari@wlbt.net

A teen accused of killing his own family is behind bars, serving two consecutive sentences. More than two years after the double murders were committed, the victim's family said they can finally start to heal.

It was hugs of relief outside the Hinds County Courthouse Friday afternoon. After a three hour jury deliberation, the verdict was in.

Zeno Mangum III is the son of murder victim, Cindy Williams. He said, "The jury reached a verdict, Williams III was found guilty in both charges for killing my mother and his dad James Williams Junior."

19-year-old James Williams III will spend 60 years in prison and is not eligible for parole.

Williams is guilty of killing his father, James Williams Junior and his stepmother Cindy Williams on December 28,2002.

53-year-old Williams Jr, a postal worker and his wife, a 47 year old Catholic Charities worker were found fatally shot on January 6, 2003.

Judy Johnson is Cindy Williams' sister. She said, "This has been real hard, it's been really hard on everybody."

Williams shot his dad and stepmom inside their home at 265 Winfield Street in south Jackson.

Their bodies were found in their abandoned Chevy pickup in a wooded area in Brandon.

Their murders were an attempt, by Williams III, to inherit his grandmother's estate. Jackie Lasseter, Cindy Williams' sister said, "We got the verdict we hoped for and our hearts go out to James' family cause this is hard on them also."

Cindy Williams' family said they finally feel closure.

Mangum said, "He (Williams III) got what he deserved and he'll be punished for the rest of his life for it."

Adam White, who was 15-years-old at the time of the killings is charged with accessory to murder.