Trial of man accused of killing 14-year-old in 2021 may be postponed

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The trial of the man accused of killing a 14-year-old boy nearly three years ago may face further delays.

On Wednesday, prosecutors asked a Palm Beach County court to delay the start of the murder trial of Semmie Williams Jr., which was scheduled to begin in October. Williams is accused of first-degree murder in the November 2021 death of Ryan Rogers.

The move came in response to a motion last week from a public defender who informed the court that Williams would plead not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. The motion indicated that Williams' attorney would prove that he suffers from schizophrenia and other mental ailments, meaning he does not know the consequences of his actions or that they are wrong.

The motion also included the names of six possible witnesses who could support the defense's insanity claim.

Prosecutors emphasized the timing of the motion, pointing out that it had been 16 months since a judge declined to rule on an earlier motion for a two-part trial in which insanity was a defense. The judge ruled that it was too early in the proceedings because Williams' attorneys had not filed notice that they were raising insanity as a defense.

At a hearing on the eve of the defense's filing of the plea last week, prosecutors expressed “concern about a possible insanity defense,” noting that there had still been no notice on the matter and that the trial was scheduled to begin in two months, according to the state's plea.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the court might still allow a split trial to present such a defense and asked the court to delay the date for hearing arguments on the issue. To be ready for the hearing, more time is needed to review the defense's expert testimony, find an expert of their own and have Williams evaluated, prosecutors said. The 42 days until the trial currently scheduled are not enough time to do that.

See also: Luggage piles up at PBI after checked baggage system fails

In a hearing Thursday, both sides presented their positions and discussed how the trial would proceed if the jury were split, which potential jurors would be asked during jury selection and what they might hear about Williams' mental illness arguments during the trial.

In this part, prosecutors pointed out that there are currently only 300 potential jurors available for this trial and that this number may not be enough if mental illness is taken into account.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 11.

Williams is accused of killing Rogers after the boy went on a bike ride on November 15, 2021, and never returned. He was reported missing that night and his body was discovered on Central Boulevard near the I-95 overpass.

Investigators alleged that Williams stabbed Rogers multiple times in the head and face. They reported finding headphones at the crime scene and recovering DNA that linked them to Williams. After tracking Williams down in Miami, authorities allegedly found a blood-stained bandana and other evidence in his backpack.

The arrest report indicated that Williams had come to Palm Beach County the day Rogers disappeared. He was arrested two weeks after the murder.

Williams has denied any contact with Rogers.

Find more ways to stay up to date with the latest local news. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get the most important stories and videos you can't miss.