Roderick D. Williams v. State

Roderick D’Anthony Williams (“Appellant”) appeals his sentences for first-degree murder and kidnapping. We find that one of Appellant’s arguments on appeal warrants discussion. Appellant argues the trial court erred by denying his motion to empanel a jury to make a factual finding as to whether he actually killed, intended to kill, or attempted to kill the victim. We affirm the trial court’s denial of Appellant’s motion to empanel a jury and uphold his sentences, but we certify a question to our supreme court as one of great public importance.

In 2010, the State charged Appellant, then sixteen…