Mike, Denise, Winchester are seen in their yearbook photosLeon Circuit Judge James Hankinson had little discretion in sentencing as the murder conviction carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison.Denise convinced her husband's best friend Brian Winchester (above), who she was having an affair with, to murder her husband and hide the body, according to prosecutorsThomas later said: 'I know that you know something Denise'. She competed for Miss Florida USA and she actually won Miss Tallahassee Teen USA in 2017.Williams-Winchester has been serving her time at the Florida Women’s Reception Center, located in Ocala, Marion County, Fla. If I had not done what I did for 17 years, Mike’s disappearance never would have been solved.
Williams went to law enforcement, however, and Winchester was arrested. Last month, a jury found Denise Williams guilty on three counts, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, in the death of her husband, Jerry Michael “Mike” Williams. Their relationship soured and they later divorced in 2015.A Florida woman convicted of helping mastermind the killing of her husband nearly two decades ago has been sentenced to life in prison.Denise Williams, 49, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in Tallahassee, FloridaThe murder plot unraveled after Winchester kidnapped Denise at gunpoint and made her promise not to reveal their secret.During one call, Thomas read from a script given to her by police where she asked Denise about the murder plot.Published by Associated Newspapers LtdMike (pictured) disappeared in December 2000 while duck hunting near Tallahassee'He started to yell and I didn't know how to get out of that situation. ''When I shot him, it was dark and there was a bright flash,' Winchester testified, adding later, 'I had to make it happen, I had no choice. 'We are in this courtroom because of God not Cheryl Williams. 'Whenever it was just me with Brian and Denise it was uncomfortable,' Thomas said, speaking about her suspicions of an affair.The comments below have not been moderated.Six months after his disappearance, waders believed to belong to Mike were found floating in perfect condition in the search area. 'On the morning of December 16, 2000, the world as I know it changed forever.Winchester then tearfully described the plot to kill Williams.Denise Williams has claimed all along that she is innocent and that Winchester acted alone.He had invited Mike duck hunting on a cold December morning and Winchester said he had intended to drown him by pushing him from his canoe. I had my gun in the boat, and so I loaded my gun and I just made one or two circles around and I ended up circling closer towards him and he was in the water, and as I passed by, I shot him,' he said.Denise Williams stands expressionless and handcuffed in front of Judge James C. Hankinson in Tallahassee as he gives Williams her sentencing of life without paroleAuthorities launches an exhaustive 44 day search for Mike's body after he vanished in 2000.Denise Williams, center, sits with her defense attorney Ethan Way, right, before Williams' sentencing in Tallahassee on WednesdayA flood of emotions poured out into the courtroom as the verdicts were read in December.
Still, he decided to follow Williams-Winchester's new plan to get rid of Mike Williams by the lake.After the trial, Williams-Winchester was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mike Williams' family friends white-knuckle gripped each otherThomas and Winchester's cooperation led to Denise's arrest in May of 2018.