Crime & Safety
Timeline: 2012 Sterling Murder Trial Begins
Ryan Blain Williams, 33, of Leesburg, is accused of first-degree murder and the use of firearm in commission of a felony.
The trial of a man accused of murdering a Sterling man for "snitching" began Monday, more than a year-and-a-half after the slaying took place.
Ryan Blain Williams, 33, of Leesburg, is accused of first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Williams is being tried for the death of JoVaughn Jasper Johnson.
Johnson, 30, of Sterling, was found dead from five gunshot wounds in his SUV parked at the intersection of Trail Run and Great Trail terraces Dec. 27, 2012. The incident marked Loudoun County's sole homicide in 2012.
Williams and his then-girlfriend Linsey Hardwick, 24, of Leesburg, allegedly sought retribution for Johnson's "snitching." Following the incident, Hardwick drove Williams to Colonial Beach, where Williams was ultimately arrested Feb. 12, 2013.
The case will be presented over the next several days. Court was not in session Tuesday, but will continue through June 14. A verdict is expected to be reached next week.
View a timeline of the case step-by-step above.
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