Cartersville Parents Charged with Baby`s Death
Tony Potts
07-03-2009
Stephanie M. Stephens, 23, and Anthony Tawon Williams, 29,
formerly of Cartersville will spend the rest of their lives in
prison after their 13 month-old child died of a crack-cocaine
overdose on June 16,2007. The couple were found guilty on four
counts of murder, each count of which was based on different
underlying offenses. Those were possession of cocaine with
intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, contributing to the
deprivation of a minor, and second-degree cruelty to children.
Stephens said she felt that she should be punished, but not charged
with murder. She said that her only crime was allowing cocaine
into her home.
Williams, who maintained his innocence, said `in this trial the
most important thing was not innocence or guilt, but the
impression of innocence or guilt.` He added, `If I could have
saved Jewel`s life by giving my own, there would have never been
a trial ... I lost my baby. The worst thing that could happen to
me has already happened.`
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