MOUNT CLEMENS (Mich.) — A Detroit area man was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of a radio anchor and the attack on her family.
The Detroit News reported that Macomb County Circuit Judge James Biernat referred to Arthur Williamson as the “embodiment” of evil during sentencing on Thursday in Mount Clemens.
Biernat stated, “The only amazing thing is that you didn’t kill them all.”
Williamson, a Pontiac resident, pleaded not guilty in April to first-degree murder as well as assault with the intent to kill and unlawful imprisonment. No-contest is not an admission that you are guilty, but it is used at sentencing.
In September, WWJ AM’s overnight anchor Jim Matthews, was found bludgeoned by a hammer, in Chesterfield Township to the northeast of Detroit.
Williamson, 55 years old, is said to be a friend Nichole Guertin, Matthews’ girlfriend. Guertin, her 10-year-old child and 5-year old daughter that she shared with Matthews suffered injuries. The boy was also hit in the head by the hammer, and then tied up in the closet.
Guertin said that Matthews had been working a late-night shift when Williamson arrived at their house to smoke crack and bring heroin. Guertin testified that after she refused to play or tie herself up, Williamson slashed and zip-tied Guertin’s throat and wrists and ankles.
Matthews was stabbed and hit with a hammer when he arrived at home. Guertin fled with their daughter, aged five. She asked someone to contact the police.
Matthews and Guertins’ sons wrote to the court in a victim’s impact statement that Williamson destroyed their lives.
The boy wrote, “I hate you because of what you did to my family and me.” You made my mother and sister and I suffer in hell for hours. “You are evil.”
