Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Families, others offer reactions

Immediately after the guilty verdict was handed down on the last of four defendants in the 2004 murder of a Nevada County man, the family gathered for hugs, congratulations and tears. On the other side of the courtroom, a father mourned the loss of his son to the Arkansas prison system.

Robert Lee R.J. Williams was charged with the crime when he was 16 years old, and was 15 when he fired the shot that fatally wounded 80-year-old James H. Booger Red Cummings as the elderly man lay in his bed.

He was a good man, said Eighth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Chris Thomason, a statement borne out by Cummings wife, Peggy.

The couple had been married 20 years. Peggy described her husband as hardworking, fun, busy. He had a full life.

And everyone, it seemed, called him simply Booger.

Peggy said he raised produce for sale from their home and had cattle. Hed built the home he died in and was raised in the community some 12 miles East of Prescott near Bluff City.

Boogers raised his own family in that community, serving as both parents after the death of his first wife. He worked for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as a wildlife officer until his retirement. But Peggy said her husband continued to be active.

Bob Cummings called the murder of his father a cowardly act. Despite his age - 80 years old - Bob said his father had many years of life ahead of him. On the morning before his death, he made a trip to pick up watermelons to offer for sale at his home.

Ricky Cummings said he was only five years old when his mother died, meaning his father had been everything to him.

You robbed me of my father, Ricky said to convicted killer Robert R.J. Williams. He has been all I had since I was five. Anyone that knew him knew he was a wonderful man.

Though the family have continually worked with prosecutors on the case, Ricky said he believes the death penalty should have been an option. The Supreme Court has ruled that death is not an option when the perpetrator is less than 18 at the time of the crime.

Clearly emotional, Williams attorney Cathleen Compton said the make up of the jury was a concern.

The record was that there were five African American jurors that were struck by the state, Compton said.

Eighth Judicial District Circuit Judge Duncan Culpepper addressed Williams prior to handing down the life sentence.

Theres no justification that can be given for the actions of the defendant, Culpepper said.

Eighth Judicial District Prosecutor Chris Thomason said the trial was the end of a long process.

Im thankful that after three long years for the Cummings family, this jury has given them the closure they needed to begin the healing process, Thomason said.

As the trial wrapped up, Compton said she hadnt talked with Williams regarding the possibility of an appeal.

Williams father, Robert Williams Sr., spoke at length about his impressions of the trial, the fate of his son and what had happened to his own family.

Tore it up, he said.

Williams talked of his children, R.J. and his sister Tekelia. Tekelia was sentenced to thirty years for driving the getaway car. He said both were raised to attend church, were well-mannered and believed in God. He put the blame on their choices of companions.

They just got with the wrong crowd, he said.

Williams said Tekelia loved sports and played basketball.

Williams said he felt everyone in the courtroom had been against his son, with the exception of Compton. He said he doesnt believe R.J. got a fair trial or a fair sentence.

I know hes supposed to get time, but youve sent a boy that was 15 years old at that time to live in prison without parole, Williams said. Everybody was pointing the finger at him like he was the leader. Ms. Compton did all she could do and I appreciate her.

Williams said R.J. had always been in special education classes and the government acknowledged his learning disability by granting R.J. a monthly check.

After he committed the crime they said he committed - he was normal then, Williams said. Thats not justice. He really wasnt responsible for his actions, but they wanted to get someone.

Williams said his heart goes out to his son and to the Cummings family.

Im sorry. R.J.s sorry. I hope the Lord forgives him.