Press Release

Fairbanks Man Sentenced to 65 Years for 2014 Homicide

February 10, 2017

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) Today, Superior Court Judge Jack Smith  sentenced 28 year old Jerel Williams to serve 65 years in prison for the murder of Christopher Fulton in September 2014. Following a nine day trial, Williams was convicted by a jury of murder in the second degree and robbery in the first degree. Williams was acquitted of murder in the first degree.

The evidence at trial showed that Williams and his girlfriend, Samantha Herbert, went to Fulton’s apartment on Reka Street on the afternoon of September 4, 2014. While at the apartment, Williams attempted to rob Fulton. Williams fatally shot Fulton in the head then fled the residence. Williams and Herbert abandoned a van near Eklutna Lake Road, hitchhiked to Wasilla, and attempted to flee to Fairbanks. The Anchorage Police Department arrested Williams and Herbert on September 6, 2014. Williams has remained in custody since his arrest.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Smith explained that Williams needed to deal with his substance abuse issues. Judge Smith commented that Anchorage is experiencing a tremendous amount of gun violence involving drug transactions and drug robberies. Judge Smith explained that the community condemns Williams’ conduct. He sentenced Williams to 75 years and suspended ten years. Judge Smith placed Williams on probation for seven years upon his release from prison.

CONTACT: District Attorney Clint Campion at (907) 269-6300 or clinton.campion@alaska.gov. More information about the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office is available at http://www.law.alaska.gov/department/criminal/adao.html.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.