Woman gets life in VCU student’s death

Media General News Service
Published: November 18, 2008

A Richmond judge Monday sentenced a 20-year-old woman to life in prison, plus 13 years, for what the judge called the “gratuitous murder” of Virginia Commonwealth University student Tyler J. Binsted.
Judge Beverly W. Snukals added that Zsabriela Evelyn Williams, one of three defendants in the fatal shooting of Binsted, 19, had demonstrated “just plain meanness.“
The sentencing came after Binsted’s girlfriend recounted how she told Binsted she loved him and patted his hair as she watched him die on the ground at Byrd Park the morning of March 27.
Binsted’s twin brother also testified, as did Williams, who admitted her involvement but said she didn’t pull the trigger.
But perhaps the most startling testimony came from the defendant’s mother, who revealed that the man Williams believed was her father actually wasn’t — and that her real father is dead.
Tears filled the defendant’s eyes as she sat in court, wearing a silver dress and black Nike tennis shoes.
Binsted’s mother, Paula Binsted, said after the hearing that the courtroom revelation about Williams’ father was “such a low blow” for the defendant that “given any other situation, you might have compassion.“
In September, Williams entered an Alford plea to one count of first-degree murder, meaning she did not admit guilt but acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her. She entered guilty pleas to two counts of robbery and three counts of using a firearm in a felony.
Sentencing for one of the other defendants, Howard R. Scott III, 17, had been set for yesterday, but the hearing was postponed until Jan. 15.
At Williams’ sentencing hearing Monday, Tyler Binsted’s girlfriend told the court she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and that sometimes when she has closed her eyes, she has seen Binsted dying.
She said she fears for her life when she has to walk somewhere at night and also has felt guilty that somehow she might have contributed to Binsted’s death.
She said she was unable to finish her undergraduate studies at VCU on time, and she feels disconnected from her friends and the things she used to care about because her mind often returns to thoughts of life and death.
“It’s a terrible pain to lose such an amazing man,“ the 22-year-old said.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch is withholding her name at the request of Richmond prosecutor Elizabeth A. Hobbs, who expressed concern for the woman’s safety and said she might have to testify against another defendant in the case.
The woman’s testimony was interrupted when a Richmond sheriff’s deputy removed a man, seated beside the defendant’s mother, who said something in the courtroom.
Seth Binsted, the victim’s identical twin, said his brother’s death has left a void in his life that matches the size of Tyler’s strong personality. “He was my greatest teacher and probably my most profound inspiration,“ he said.
Williams admitted on the witness stand that she and Scott robbed Tyler Binsted and his girlfriend at Byrd Park sometime after midnight. The couple’s cell phones were taken, as were the girlfriend’s car keys.
Hobbs said Williams squeezed the girlfriend’s breasts as she was patting her down and told the couple to get in the trunk of the girlfriend’s car. Binsted refused and slammed the trunk closed. He was walking away with his girlfriend, holding her hand, when he was shot in the back.
Hobbs said Williams had the gun the whole time and shot Binsted because she lost control of the situation and because he didn’t appear sufficiently afraid of her. Williams claimed that Scott fired the shot and then threw the gun to Williams.
Williams, who was convicted of robbery four years ago, also testified that her mother had a substance-abuse problem and did not raise her. “I’m not a bad person,“ Williams said, adding, “I’ve had a hard life.“
Snukals sentenced Williams to life in prison for the murder charge, plus a total of 13 years on three firearm charges. The judge also gave her 20 years on each of two counts of robbery but suspended all 40 years.
In August, Scott was convicted of the same six charges as Williams.
LaPrecious Nicole Austin, 20, who is accused of driving the getaway car, faces a single count of conspiracy to commit robbery. Prosecutors plan to bring additional charges against Austin, including one count of murder, before a grand jury on Dec. 1.