Hardee County man sentenced to life in prison in connection to 16-year-old's death in 2006

A Hardee County man guilty of second-degree murder for the killing of 16-year-old Amber Woods, whose body was found near a rural state road in Manatee County in 2006, was sentenced to life in prison.

Nearly 14 years after Woods was murdered, Tyjuan Williams, 35, was arrested in 2020 with his older brother and Woods' then on-again-off-again boyfriend, Ralph Williams, and his half-brother, Jamaine Brown.

A passerby found Woods’ body partially clothed lying on the side of State Road 62, a rural road in Manatee County about three miles west of the Hardee County line, with a single gunshot wound to her back on Feb. 11, 2006. The teenager was last seen alive by her aunt at their home in Hardee County around 12:30 a.m. that night, according to previous Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporting.

Trial conclusion: Hardee County man found guilty of second-degree murder in 17-year-old Manatee cold case

Trial coverage: Man testifies against brother in 17-year-old Manatee County cold case

Williams was on trial for first-degree murder, a capital felony, but was found guilty of the lesser charge by a jury on June 30. The jury found that while Williams was guilty of possessing a firearm at the time of the shooting, they did not find he had discharged the weapon or that it had caused Woods' death. Murder in the second degree carries a maximum penalty of up to life in state prison.

Senior Circuit Court Judge Lee Haworth, who presided over the trial and sentencing, adjudicated Williams guilty on Wednesday and said he took into consideration the facts of the case and testimonies presented during the trial.

"If there was ever a case that justifies the max sentence, this is it," Haworth said.

During the weeklong trial, both Williams and Brown testified on the stand about what they say happened the night Woods was killed and dragged from the side of the road to a fence nearby.

Brown testified Williams had shot Woods in the back with a rifle while standing on the side of State Route 62 after the three brothers picked up Woods and were driving around late that night. Brown pleaded no contest to accessory after the fact to murder in December 2020 and was adjudged guilty.

Williams appeared to deny involvement in the shooting and said he'd lied to law enforcement about being in possession of a cell phone that night to protect Brown.

'Justice for Amber', families speak up during sentencing

Woods' family members said they were pleased with the outcome of the sentencing and grateful the judge listened. For them, it took 17 years to see justice.

The gallery was filled with family from both sides, with Woods' family donning several different "Justice for Amber" shirts as they filed into the benches.

Kimber Sigua, who testified during the trial, again stood in the courtroom before the judge and echoed Woods' biological mother's sentiment that Williams had no mercy for her cousin, so the judge should take no mercy on him with the sentence.

Sigua said her cousin didn't have the chance to be a mother, get married, or finish school, while Williams was able to continue living his life.

Previous coverage: Phone records lead to break in 14-year-old Manatee County cold case

'I forgive you': 2 sisters move past grief to help Manatee County man who killed their brother

Audrey Criswell, Woods' biological mother, begged the judge through tears to sentence Williams to life in prison, adding that one of the hardest things she had to do was bury her baby who had never done anything bad to anyone but just fell in love with the wrong person.

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about my baby," Criswell said, adding she goes to Woods' grave on her birthday.

Woods adoptive mother, LizAnna Woods, said it was sad a young girl like her daughter lost her life because of love and that Woods didn't have the opportunity to grow older and see if that was even her true love.

Williams spoke during the hearing, saying he was sorry to Woods' family for what happened and apologizing to his family for having to go through this.

The defense called four family and community members to testify on behalf of Williams, with each saying that Williams was a changed man from when the shooting happened back in 2006.

Williams' mother said her son paid for the crimes he committed and that during his last time in prison, he was nearly killed, which set him on a different path. She said following his release, he attended church, became an ordained minister, and ministered to young men in prison.

"He's been on the straight and narrow since being released from prison where he almost died," she said, asking the judge for mercy.

Woods' family said they're glad that this first part is over, and they hope the second trial in September for Ralph Williams, who is also charged with first-degree murder in connection to Woods' killing, will have the same outcome.

Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hardee County man sentenced to life in prison in Manatee cold case