Charles Andrew Williams could soon be sprung from the slammer nearly 25 years after gunning down two classmates and wounding 13 other victims at California’s Santana High School as a judge effectively erased his 50 years-to-life sentence, sources say.
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Now 39, Williams was 15 when he opened fire with a .22-caliber revolver, fatally striking Bryan Zuckor, 14, and Randy Gordon, 17, and injuring 11 other pupils and two staff members on March 5, 2001.
Williams was slapped with the hefty jail term after pleading guilty to all criminal charges against him, including two counts of murder and 13 counts of attempted murder, according to Daily Mail.
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However, Superior Court Judge Lisa Rodriguez recently ruled that he could be resentenced based on a law that allows such a provision for juvenile defendants who have served at least 15 years of a life without parole term.
The sentence recall means the jailbird’s case could be brought before juvenile court — and he could potentially be freed at his next sentencing hearing.
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Williams broke down in tears in his cell as he appeared via video in the courtroom where the ruling was issued.
The shocking development comes two years after the state parole board determined Williams was unsuitable for release on the grounds that he remained a risk to public safety.
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Former Santana High student Michelle Davis, whose children now attend the school in Santee, Calif., admits that she’s still haunted by the horrific incident — and opposes Williams’ release.
“It was very terrifying,” Davis told NBC7 of the rampage. “You heard a pop. You see kids’ blood running.”
She adds, “He knew what choice he made when he made it. Why is it different now?”
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has vowed to continue the fight to keep Williams locked up, saying his “cruel actions” continue to warrant his stiff sentence.