A man received a term of 24 1⁄4 years Monday for his role in a rolling gun battle on a downtown Minneapolis street that resulted in one of the two vehicles hitting and killing a teenager standing at the corner with her scooter.
Marvel G. Williams, 35, of St. Paul was sentenced in Hennepin County District Court after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and a gun possession count in connection with the late-night feud in the North Loop on Oct. 6, 2021, that killed Autumn Rose Merrick, 18, of Minneapolis, who was riding a scooter after leaving work outside a hotel near Target Field.
With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Williams is expected to serve about 143⁄4 years in prison and the balance on supervised release.
"Mr. Williams' conduct was extraordinarily reckless and dangerous," read a statement from Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. "People come to Minneapolis for many reasons and have a right to be safe when they do."
Prior to sentencing, Williams' defense attorney argued for a five-year sentence, which would have been a departure from state sentencing guidelines.
Williams admitted to "encouraging [the driver] to chase another man in a vehicle," wrote defense attorney Travis Kowitz, but he did not fire a gun or provide any weapons used during the shootout.
Co-defendant Christopher L. Walker, 34, of Fridley was allegedly driving the vehicle with Williams as his passenger and is charged with second-degree murder and illegal gun possession. Walker posted a $500,000 bond in July 2022, was released from jail and has a May 8 trial date set.
According to the charges:
