Columbus County man to testify against co-defendant in murder trial

WHITEVILLE, NC (STARNEWS) – A Columbus County man charged in the 2015 killing of Alicia Deans pleaded guilty Monday and agreed to testify against his co-defendant Nathan Tyler Jr., 45.

Jury selection in Tyler’s first-degree murder trial begins Tuesday.

Michael Williams 33, pleaded in Columbus County Superior Court to second-degree murder, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon in the slaying of Deans, 26.

Sentencing will take place after Williams testifies in Tyler’s trial.

Deans, of Leland, was reported missing April 29, 2015, a day after she told her mother she was going to Columbus County to see her ex-boyfriend who is Tyler’s son.

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