One of three suspects in the 2020 shooting death of 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr. at the Riverchase Galleria has been denied his request to be treated as a youthful offender.
King Gary Williams, now 21, was 19 years old when deadly shooting took place on July 3, 2020.
He, along with Montez Moses Miracle Coleman, now 24, and Demetrius Dewayne Jackson, 21, are charged with capital murder in Royta’s death. They are also each charged with three counts of second-degree assault in the wounding of three other shoppers.
He petitioned the courts to be tried under Alabama’s Youthful Offender. An offender who is or was under the age of 21 when a crime was committed can apply for YO status which, if granted, lowers a punishment range to three years maximum among other benefits.
A hearing on Williams’ request was held Wednesday before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Shanta Craig Owens, who denied Williams’ request. He is represented by attorneys John Lentine and Chris Daniel of Sheffield and Lentine.
King Gary Williams (Hoover Police Department)
“Obviously we were very disappointed,’’ Lentine said. “This young man with absolutely no criminal history, who was gainfully employed went to the Galleria to go shopping. While at the Galleria his life was threatened by a man carrying a concealed assault weapon in a backpack and then was immediately shot at by that person.”
“Fearing for his life and shot back. That is the classic definition of self-defense and its extremely disappointing that under these facts and circumstances he was denied that status,’’ Lentine said. “However, that denial has nothing to do with our desire to let an impartial jury see this tragic case for what it really was – an act of self-defense.”
A trial date for Williams has not been set.
Montez Moses Miracle Coleman (Hoover City Jail)
Coleman was set to go on trial later this month, but that trial has been postponed until August. His attorneys requested the postponement while they await records needed to help with his defense since it is a death penalty case, records show.
Jackson’s trial is set for June. He, too, previously applied for youthful offender status and was also denied.
Demetrius Dewayne Jackson Jr. (Hoover Police Department)
On July 3, 2020, Royta, his mother, stepfather Anthony Jones, and younger sisters Trinity and Marlee were waiting to go into the Children’s Place. Because of COVID-19, stores at the time had restrictions on how many customers could be allowed in.
Hoover police say a dispute that started possibly because of a previous “beef” over rap lyrics erupted near the food court. It escalated to gunfire, and at least 12 rounds were fired in just four seconds.
When it was over, Royta lay motionless on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at Children’s of Alabama two hours and 17 minutes later.
Three other shoppers were injured but survived.
The suspects have all claimed each fired in self-defense – from each other.
An 18-year-old is charged with capital murder in the Riverchase Galleria shooting that killed 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr. Other gunmen are sought and police are asking for the public’s help. (Hoover Police)
Testimony in previous hearings showed one of the defendants fired his AR-15 style pistol through a book bag. The gun jammed after the first round, but he had about 75 rounds of ammunition in the backpack – nearly 50 rounds were in two gun magazines and 24 were stuffed in a sock. Two other defendants, according to witnesses, raised their shirts to show they, too, had weapons shortly before the gunfight commenced.
Though all parties agreed no one went to the mall that day with the intent to kill, the resulting carnage happened because of their “willingness and spoken or unspoken agreement to get in this gunfight,” Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Shawn Allen has said. When engaged in mutual combat, he said, all parties are criminally liable in the death and injuries that happened that day.
Royta was born in Houston, but his family later moved to the Birmingham area. At the time of his death, he had just finished the second grade at Jonesboro Elementary School in Bessemer, where he was an honor roll student and adored by his teachers and school administrators.
He loved to play video games and aspired to be a musical artist.
Royta’s mom, Jesslyn Layfield, rides on the horse drawn funeral carriage with her son. Funeral for Royta Giles Jr. at the Bessemer Civic Center Saturday July 11, 2020. Royta was shot to death at the Riverchase Galleria on July 3rd. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com
“Music was his treasure and was an aspiring rap artist,” his obituary read. “As with any entertainer, his royal highness had to be dressed for the occasion. Fashion was his passion. He excelled as a gamer, entertainer, fashionista and he was a master artist. He prized his drawings and sketches.”
Most of all, Royta loved spending time with his family. “He found special joy in being the ultimate big brother watching over his little sisters,” teaching them to jump over the sofa, jump off the table and pillow fight. He was looking forward to third grade and “more often than not, Royta was accompanied by his dearest friend, his ‘Prayer Bear.’”
Royta’s mom previously told AL.com her slain son is never far from her thoughts and her heart. “I try not to worry about tomorrow and lean more toward God and accepting what happened,” Layfield said. “He will never be forgotten.”
