A man accused of brutally murdering a New York City mother in front of her 7-year-old daughter appeared in Manhattan court Sunday, where he was ordered held without bail. Tiliek Shamel Thompson, 41, faces charges including murder and strangulation in the Sept. 6 slaying of 27-year-old Lovay Williams.
Prosecutors stated that Thompson beat Williams to death in her Washington Heights apartment and then removed evidence from the scene in blue shopping bags. He turned himself in to authorities on Saturday after receiving threats, according to his lawyer, Neville Mitchell. Mitchell requested protective custody for his client, citing a psychiatric diagnosis.
Williams' father, Nuquan Williams, expressed his anger in court, shouting, "Give him the gas chamber!" Other family members, including aunt Missy Wright and cousin Lexus Singleton, conveyed frustration with the defense's attempts to portray Thompson favorably and voiced their determination to see justice served.
"His lawyer tried to make him like he was an angel, and it was a slap in the face to the family," Singleton said. "But one thing I will say, we will get justice, and we have strong evidence on this case. So he will not get away with this."
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Thompson entering the apartment on Sept. 5 and leaving the following day after making two trips to carry items out in blue shopping bags, according to Assistant District Attorney Michael Perez. Mitchell suggested the possibility of another individual entering or leaving the scene through a window.
Williams' sister, Asia Walker, stated that the family had known Thompson for a long time, adding to the confusion surrounding the alleged crime. The victim's mother, Moinica Manners, said her granddaughter is coping as well as can be expected after witnessing the event.
Thompson is scheduled to return to court on Friday. Singleton also noted that Thompson allegedly cut his hair after the incident in an attempt to evade law enforcement.