Bullet fragments recovered from Welshons' body were consistent with those of a .357 revolver, court records showed.
Licato testified that Williams' father was told on the morning of Welshons' death by his son to get rid of the remaining .357 cartridges and holster. The elder Williams told police that he threw the holster into a trash can and the cartridges in a field behind his workplace at the Richlin Ballroom. Records showed that two bullets were recovered from the area.
In December, Williams, of Abingdon, was convicted on two counts of cocaine distribution and one count of crack distribution by a federal jury.
In his closing remarks, Copperthite said Williams had shown an "absolute disregard for the life of Robin Welshons" and that he ordered her death to prevent her from testifying in his trial.
Defense attorney Christie Needleman urged the judge not to sentence her client to life.
While acknowledging that Welshons's death was "a most egregious and serious" matter, Needleman said the prosecutors had not shown enough evidence to link her client to Welshons' killing.
The judge disagreed and outlined his reasons in a 13-page opinion.
The victim's mother, Mary Welshons, wiped away tears after hearing the judge's sentence and said, "I believe justice was done today."
Williams' eyes reddened, and before being led out of the courtroom, he turned to look at his friends, who were shaking their heads in disbelief. They declined to comment.
madison.park@baltsun.com
