Update: Brooklyn Man Gets Life for Killing Woodmere Resident

Nov. 1 Update: Edward Williams was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced.

“Driven by greed, Edward Williams committed a horrific crime that cost an innocent life,” Rice said. “No sentence will bring Tristan Theodore back to his family and friends, but I hope they find some solace in the knowledge that Edward Williams will spend every remaining day of his life behind bars.”

The original story follows.

A Brooklyn man was convicted of murder and other charges on Friday for fatally shooting an escaping Woodmere man in the back after a botched robbery attempt last year, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

Edward Williams, 30, was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping in the first degree, robbery in the second degree, burglary in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree stemming from the June 15, 2010, murder of 20-year-old Tristan Theodore.

Another defendant, , faces similar charges stemming from the same incident.

“Edward Williams’ greed knew no bounds and he took an innocent life while trying to steal money and property,” District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in a release. “With today’s verdict, the jury has made sure that Edward Williams will pay a heavy price for this horrific crime.”

At around 1:40 a.m. on June 15, 2010, Theodore and a friend arrived at Theodore’s home in Woodmere, when Williams and Jackson accosted them in the driveway, the DA said. The two men forced the two victims into the basement of the house and bound them with duct tape. Williams and Jackson then took the men’s cash, cell phones, car keys and a Playstation.

Theodore and his friend were then forced into Theodore’s car. After traveling down the road, Theodore’s friend was able to jump from the moving car, according to the DA. Theodore then escaped from the car shortly after, but as he fled, Williams shot him in the back.

Suffering from a gunshot wound, Theodore ran through the backyards of several homes before collapsing on the back porch of a house, the DA said. The homeowners called 911. Theodore was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital where he later died.

Assistant District Attorneys Martin Meaney and Lauren Nickerson of the DA’s Major Offenses Bureau prosecuted the case for the DA’s office.

Williams is represented by Joseph LoPiccolo, Esq.