DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — Julius Williamson Jr., 23, made his first court appearance today in Montgomery County, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Williamson is charged with the shooting and killing of 18-year-old Alfred Hale, a Dayton Public Schools student, at the downtown RTA bus hub in April. Bail was set at $1 million.
According to County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Hale was found shot in the chest on the sidewalk near the bus hub and later died at Miami Valley Hospital. Hale’s death has prompted discussions about the safety of the downtown area and school transportation for Dayton Public Schools students. State legislators have since prohibited the use of the downtown RTA hub for school transportation, citing safety concerns.
State Rep. Phil Plummer commented on the situation, saying, “Unfortunately, we have people down there who are homeless, people who are suffering from mental health issues, drug addicts, drug dealers, gang bangers, we’ve had our share of violence down there.”…