Killer, 13, Given 280 Months

Only 13, Willard Jimerson barely came to the shoulders of the adults surrounding him in the courtroom.

And he sounded every bit a kid when Superior Court Judge Norma Smith Huggins asked whether he had anything to say before she sentenced him for murder yesterday .

The words poured out of his mouth then, his voice rising nearly to a shout as he leaned over the courtroom bench toward the judge.

"If I shot somebody, I would have run with the gun and put it someplace safe," he said. "The prosecutor, they got gaps in what they say.

"God, he got a purpose and a plan for everyone. I never wanted to experience anything like this at this age. That's all I got to tell you, that I did not commit this crime."

Jimerson was sentenced to 280 months in prison for killing a 14-year-old girl, Jamie Lynn Wilson, March 10 near 23rd Avenue and East Cherry Street.

Because of the severity of the crime, Jimerson was tried as an adult. Under state sentencing guidelines, Jimerson will have to serve nearly all of the 23-year-plus sentence. A 15 percent sentence reduction is possible for good behavior, however.

"This is the first time I've sentenced a 13-year-old for first-degree murder," the judge said. "During the course of the trial, I tried to make some sense of it. I could not. (Wilson) was killed because she was there . . . you told us at least three versions, maybe four."

Huggins told how she'd received several letters from Jimerson's family, friends and pastor, telling how he was, in many ways, a typical 13-year-old.

But the judge disagreed, reciting the youth's history of criminal acts, including two 1993 assault charges, a theft charge and a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, all separate from the murder charge.

"I was not able to agree with them, that you are a typical 13-year-old child," she said. "You are a very dangerous 13-year-old."

The judge ordered Jimerson held in the county Department of Youth Services until he is 18. After that, he's to be turned over to the state Department of Corrections to serve the rest of his sentence.

Except to wipe his mouth with one hand, Jimerson, wearing a blue nylon jacket, with his short black hair combed into two braids at the back of his head, showed little emotion during sentencing.

Wilson's mother, Carolyn Prentice, was late for the sentencing because she had to ride a bus to the courthouse. When she arrived, the judge interrupted the proceedings to allow her to read a statement before the sentence was imposed.

"Jamie never had a chance to be a teenager," her mother said. "Some days are harder than others. Her memories and love will always be there."

Prentice said later that she was satisfied with the sentence.

"I think he'll have to deal with it," she said. "He's a young guy, like my daughter was."

Deputy Prosecutor Patty Eakes, who had recommended a 320-month sentence, also said the sentence was appropriate and discounted statements made by Jimerson's relatives outside the courtroom that he was framed.

"I think it was a very fair sentence, taking into account his age," she said. "It's hard to believe anyone could say he was framed."

Testimony during the trial revealed how Jimerson routinely was allowed to roam through Seattle, using drugs and getting drunk, at all hours of the day.

Huggins also imposed several other sentencing conditions, including a fine and set a restitution hearing for Jan. 17 to determine an amount to be paid to Wilson's family. Jimerson told the court he has no money, however. He also filed a notice of appeal to the state Court of Appeals after Huggins rejected motions for a new trial.

Kaai Williams, 25, also found guilty of Wilson's murder, is to be sentenced Dec. 16.