news-record.com

GREENSBORO — A Greensboro man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for fatally shooting a convenience store clerk in a 2006 robbery.

It took a jury around two hours to convict 20-year-old  Raytheon Williams on charges of first-degree murder, robbery with a firearm and conspiracy to commit a robbery. 

Williams is the second person convicted in the Nov. 25, 2006,  murder of 50-year-old Satwinder Singh,  who worked at the Aman Mini Mart at 2303 N. Church St.  Singh was shot in front of his then-13-year-old son and another employee at the store. He later died at the hospital.

“(This verdict) shows justice seeds on class and money,” Williams told Superior Court Judge William Z. Wood Jr. of Forsyth County  upon his sentencing. “This verdict is unjust.”

Though Williams’ life sentence for murder comes without the possibility of parole, an additional 6- to 8-year sentence  was added for the robbery convictions.

The conviction comes following three days of testimony from two of Williams’ co-defendants and others who testified the man later talked about shooting the clerk for respect in a street gang.

In all, three masked men entered the store and robbed Singh at gunpoint, according to court records and testimony.

Arthur Burton III,  21,  was convicted in August of second-degree murder and robbery for his role in the heist. A prosecutor reduced his charge from first- to second-degree murder in exchange for testimony against Williams.

He will spend at least 21 years in prison for his role in the robbery. Murder charges are still pending against 18-year-old Shawn Michael McIlvain,  the third man accused in the robbery.

Less serious charges are pending against Brittany Nicole Price, Burton’s former girlfriend, who testified she drove the group around that day, including to and from the robbery. A murder charge and other charges against her were dismissed for her testimony this week.

Williams and his family both said that inconsistencies in testimony should have led jurors to question their validity.

“It seems unfair that everyone was pointing a finger at him,” said Charles Williams, Raytheon Williams’ uncle, of the co-defendants’ testimony.

Singh’s family was not present for the verdict. Attempts to reach them Friday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Williams’ lawyer said his client intends to appeal. 

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com