Appeals Court Rejects Insufficient Evidence Contention

A conviction is being upheld for the man who was found guilty of kidnapping a four-year-old girl in Lancaster.  The December 2014 attack was thwarted by the girl's 13-year-old brother.  Defense attorneys claimed there was insufficient evidence to support Earl Duane Williams' conviction.  A three-justice panel from California's Second District Court of Appeal rejected the defense's contention last Thursday.  

The Los Angeles man was found guilty of kidnapping with intent to commit a lewd act involving a child and criminal threats.  Williams was sentenced in 2015 to 30 years to life in prison.  He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

Williams grabbed the girl from her front yard and began to leave the area as the victim screamed.  Her 13-year-old brother soon called for help and grabbed his sister's arm.  Williams was captured after the girl's mother and neighbors flagged down sheriff's deputies and led them to the suspect.  He threatened the family from the back of the deputy's patrol car saying that he was "coming back for you."

Photo: Getty Images


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