Death penalty notice filed against co-defendant in Easley spouse's murder

The state intends to seek the death penalty for the man charged with murder in an Easley woman's conspiracy to kill her husband so the two could split his life insurance money.

Court records show prosecutors filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Marcus Channing Johnson, 36, of Easley in the death of Shane Williams, who was gunned down in his home last January.

In a court filing, 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said prosecutors are relying on statutory aggravating circumstances to seek that penalty.

Those circumstances, Wilkins said citing state law, are that Johnson allegedly committed the murder for himself or another to receive money or a thing of monetary value, and Johnson directed another person to commit murder or he committed the crime "as an agent or employee" of another person.

Crystal Williams last month in a Pickens County courtroom pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy and was sentenced to life without parole.

Wilkins told Judge Letitia Verdin that Williams called 911 in the early morning hours of Jan. 26, telling a dispatcher that she heard gunshots and found her husband on the floor of their home at 117 Devon Court in Easley.

Warrants allege Crystal Williams unlocked the kitchen door to let Johnson inside, then woke up her husband of 14 years to tell him the fire needed more wood. Warrants allege Shane Williams walked into the living room where Johnson was waiting and was shot three times.

Crystal Williams and Johnson had been texting and chatting by phone to plan the murder, Wilkins said.

The couple's 10-year-old son was at home during the shooting, Wilkins said. There was no sign of forced entry.

Shane Williams was a Sunday school teacher at Cedar Rock Baptist Church.

Johnson faces charges of murder, conspiracy and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to court records. No trial date has been set.

He was being held without bond Tuesday at the Pickens Detention Center, records show.

- Staff writer Ron Barnett contributed.