MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Morgantown man has pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
Thomas Williams was arrested for the shooting death of Quintin Bolden during an argument at a Bitonti Street apartment more than 3 years ago. Bolden had been reported missing in November 2011. In January 2012, the victim’s body was discovered in Cheat Lake.
Williams was in prison on federal drug charges when he was charged with the murder on February 6, 2013. Deputies said Williams indicated he was with Bolden on Nov. 26, 2011. Williams allegedly told police he dropped Bolden off at the Willey Street Dairy Mart.
After investigating, police found several discrepancies in Williams’ story, according to deputies. Police argue he picked up Bolden at a store on the Mileground. The two then went to an apartment on Bitonti Street where an argument erupted that ended with Bolden being shot, police said.
During the investigation, authorities took blood samples from the apartment where the shooting occurred. The sample matched Bolden’s DNA.
Williams was originally charged with first degree murder. He avoids his February scheduled murder trial with last week’s guilty plea.
He will be sentenced April 14.