From the Courtroom

“I asked that the video be shown to emphasize the actual facts and the underlying events that underlie each of the convictions relating to each of the victims for which the defendant Williams stands convicted.

“First, the seriousness and the circumstances of each and every one of these crimes was great due to the senseless serious physical and/or emotional injuries suffered by each victim of the defendant’s assaultive conduct.

“Second, in the case of Ms. Maldonado, Mr. Lopez and Mr. Denny, the defendant personally used a weapon, to wit, a rock, spray paint and a brick.

“Third, the victims were particularly vulnerable compared with victims of similar crimes. Each was isolated from help by an angry mob. At the time none had anywhere to turn for help and that was more than apparent to the defendant at the time of the offenses.

“Mr. Lopez had been beaten unconscious or nearly so when the defendant set upon him. Mr. Lopez’s only apparent help at the time was from an elderly minister holding a Bible.

“Ms. Maldonado was a lone woman singled out by the defendant in the midst of an angry mob.

“Mr. Hirata was similarly singled out and the defendant actively prevented rescue attempted by Jorge Gonzalez.

“Jorge Gonzales was a lone rescuer at the time Mr. Hirata was under the attack by the defendant and others.

“Mr. Denny was beaten, struck with an oxygenator, a hammer to the head three times and barely able to move when the defendant struck him full-force at close range with a brick to the temple.

“Fourth, the defendant personally inflicted physical and/or emotional injury upon each victim. The defendant was an active participant in each crime.

“Lastly, the manner in which the crimes were carried out demonstrated a clear pattern of intended criminal and anti-social behavior over an extended period of time.

“It is hard to credit the defendant’s statement of remorse given to the probation officer, given the defendant’s spitting on Mr. Denny’s prone body and the victory dance Mr. Williams performed in the intersection within a few feet of Mr. Denny’s bloody body.

“In addition, these attacks on all the victims took place over an extended period of time. If at any moment the defendant had a spark of human feeling for others, he was free to walk away. Mr. Williams, it’s intolerable in this society to attack and maim people because of their race.”