Man, 38, Convicted of Murder
A 38-year-old Simi Valley man was found guilty of second-degree murder in the slaying of an engineer and part-time actor, according to authorities.
Michael Williams was convicted Tuesday in Van Nuys Superior Court of the murder of Gregory Watson, 41, according to David Gelfound, the deputy district attorney who handled the case.
Watson was shot once in the chest in March 1996 at a vacant Panorama City apartment used by drug dealers and prostitutes, authorities said. The shooting occurred as a result of a dispute over money.
Although the murder weapon was never found and there were no witnesses to the shooting, the prosecution built its case on numerous witnesses who testified that they saw Williams flee the scene, Gelfound said. Watson’s blood was also found on a shirt that many witnesses said belonged to and was often worn by Williams.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 1.
Williams faces 15 years to life in prison, but he is expected to get between 20 and 25 years, according to Gelfound.
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