Beating death suspect sentenced to 12 years

A man who planned the robbery of Fernando Olivares was sentenced to prison yesterday for his part in the January 2005 attack, which led to the victim’s beating death.

Michael Williams, 26, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for second-degree robbery and 10 years for first-degree burglary by Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan, who served as a special judge in the case.

Assistant Prosecutor Dan Knight asked for sentences of 15 years and 10 years, respectively, for robbery and burglary, and that the terms be served one after the other. Because Callahan did not specify whether the terms should run consecutively, Knight said, the sentences would be served at the same time.

The attack on Olivares, 48, occurred after he told Williams he had a large amount of money in a safe at his Columbia home. Both men worked as city garbage collectors. Knight said Williams contacted Julian Jackman, who invited Walter Harris and Amy Garrison to join the scheme.

Harris was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder, and Jackman was sentenced to 20 years for first-degree robbery. Garrison is awaiting sentencing on charges of second-degree robbery and first-degree burglary.