SHREVEPORT, La. – The conviction of a Bossier Parish man in 2025 for killing a homeowner who caught him trying to burglarize his car has been upheld by an appellate court. However, his 38-year sentence has been sent back to the trial court.
Semaj Williams, 19, was convicted in a bench trial of manslaughter in the death of Michael Hawkins. Williams was originally charged with second-degree murder.
Williams argued in his appeal there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was not acting in self-defense when he shot Hawkins. He also appealed his sentence as constitutionally excessive…