Robert Ashley Williams. Photo courtesy of London police.Robert Ashley Williams. Photo courtesy of London police.
London

Murder Suspect Attends Court With Arm Injury

The man charged for the murder of a 27-year-old London man on Richmond Row made his first court appearance with a significant arm injury.

Robert Ashley Williams, 35, was in court on Thursday to answer the charge of second-degree murder in the death of Dereck Szaflarski.  The 27-year-old had been out celebrating his birthday and died early Saturday morning after an altercation at Richmond St. and Piccadilly St.

Williams, who turned himself into London police on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, arrived in the courtroom with his left arm wrapped in hospital bandages from elbow to fingertips.

Williams' defence lawyer, Jim Dean, said his client suffered a serious injury to his left arm, but did not know the cause. He did add, however, that Williams had recently undergone surgery to treat his injury.

"I don't know the source [of the injury] at this point. We have not been able to sit down and have a private in-depth conversation in that regard," Dean told BlackburnNews.com.

Dean also said he has been informed that Williams has serious health issues that have the potential to become life threatening without medication.

"He's on a number of medications and that was expressed today in court to ensure he gets the proper and care at the jail," said Dean.

Williams is scheduled to appear in court again by video on June 12.

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