ST. LOUIS, MO (October 19, 2023) — Brian Williams, 59, of St. Louis, was found guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Leonard Ward, 53, on May 15, 2020.

The two men were riding in car driven by a friend, Edouard Claypool, on westbound Interstate 70 near West Florissant Avenue around 2 a.m. when Williams and Ward got into a verbal altercation. Williams, who was in the back seat, shot Ward in the head three times, killing him. During a recorded interview with police, Williams admitted killing Ward and throwing away the murder weapon as he ran from police.

Williams waived his right to a jury trial and his right to be present at the reading of the verdict. He was found guilty after a bench trial conducted on October 18-19, 2023, by St. Louis Circuit Judge Bryan L. Hettenbach. Claypool, who witnessed the murder, refused to testify against Williams and was held in contempt by the judge.

The State Board of Probation and Parole will now prepare a sentencing assessment report for Williams. As a prior and persistent felony offender, he is eligible for a sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2023.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Circuit Attorney Terry O’Toole Jr., an attorney at Baker, Sterchi, Cowden & Rice LLC, and Assistant Circuit Attorney Tanja Engelhardt, who heads the Office’s Violent Crime Unit.

###