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CNN Live Today

Charles 'Andy' Williams Gets 50 Years

Aired August 16, 2002 - 10:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Charles Andy Williams was not even old enough to hold a driver's license when he opened fire on his high school classmates, but he may be eligible for Social Security by the time he regains his freedom. A judge in El Cajon, California has sentenced the youngster to at least 50 years in prison for the shooting rampage that left two students dead, and 13 other people wounded.
We get the details now from Stacey Elgin from CNN's San Diego affiliate KGTV.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STACEY ELGIN, KGTV REPORTER: He gunned down two students and wounded 13 other people. His punishment, 50 years to life behind bars. Before his sentence, 16-year-old Charles Andy Williams offered a tearful apology to his victims and their families.

CHARLES "ANDY" WILLIAMS, CONVICTED SCHOOL SHOOTER: For what it's worth, I want everybody to know I'm sorry, and that, you know, I feel horrible about what happened.

ELGIN: And why did it happen? Williams said the reason he opened fire at Santana High School in Southern California in March of last year was because he was tired of being bullied. But whatever the reason, lives were lost and others changed forever.

JOHN HEIER, VICTIM'S FATHER: Am I bitter? You're darn right. I have every right to be. My son was shot.

We relive March 5th every time that we hear a siren, see an ambulance or drive past the school. It truly never will end for our family.

MARI GORDON-RAYBORN: I'm unable to understand why Charles "Andrew" Williams shot and killed my son. He did not know Randy, and he had no reason to hurt him, to hurt so many people, and so many people were hurt that day. I just don't understand the devastation he caused.

HEIER: It was a vicious and fiendish attack. That's how the judge summed up Williams' behavior, and prosecutors had asked for the maximum of 425 years to life in prison.

But in reaching his decision, the judge took into consider that Williams had endured a difficult home life and had no prior history of criminal behavior. I'm Stacey Elgin, for CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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