Disturbing video played at trial of stepmom convicted in fatal child abuse case

Crystal Williams pled guilty to injury to a child on Wednesday

SAN ANTONIO – The punishment phase continued Thursday as jurors heard from the medical examiner in the case surrounding the death of 5-year-old Josiah Williams. On Wednesday, the child’s stepmother pleaded guilty to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission.

“(I was) able to see all of his rib contours. You could see portions of his pelvic bones, as well as the bony bumps on the back of your spine,” Samantha Evans testified, as the jury saw video of the child's body.

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The 5-year-old died in December 2012 at a home on the city’s Southeast Side. Police were called after the child was found not breathing.

Investigators said the child had black eyes and bruises that covered his face, head and body.

He was also malnourished.

“When I calculated a body mass index, it came out to 11.6. A normal BMI is typically between 19-25," Evans said.

Investigators said that the child suffered severe physical trauma during the six months he lived with Williams.

The child’s cause of death was listed as dehydration.

Williams faces between 5-99 years in prison. Prosecutors are seeking the maximum prison sentence, life behind bars.

Two other people have also been charged in the beating and starving death of Josiah.

Charleston Williams, the child’s father, and his step-grandmother, Gloria Proo, have also been arrested on a felony charge injury to a child. They are awaiting trial.