Prep football star guilty of manslaughter

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 14, 2004

CLEVELAND (AP) - An 18-year-old recognized as the top prep football player in the state pleaded guilty Tuesday for his role in the shooting death of a teammate.

Raymond Williams faces three to 20 years in prison at his sentencing Nov. 16 on involuntary manslaughter and aggravated robbery charges.

Williams, a running back at Benedictine High School, was named the 17th annual winner of The Ohio Associated Press Mr. Football award last November.

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Police said Williams, Jon Huddleston and Lorenzo Hunter, all members of the school's state-champion football team, allegedly tried to use a toy gun April 16 to rob Rodney Roberts, who pulled a gun and began shooting.

Hunter, 16, died of gunshot wounds to the chest, arm and hip.

A grand jury ruled that Roberts, 20, shot in self-defense. He was sentenced earlier this year to probation for carrying a concealed weapon.

Williams was initially charged with murder.