Ellenwood, GA – Less Thompson, Jr. has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of 6-year-old Jacob Williams. Deshante LaShawn Beard received a 30-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
The verdict comes after a jury found Thompson guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and first-degree child cruelty. Prosecutors reported that Jacob was subjected to physical punishment by Thompson and Beard for wetting the bed.
On June 13, 2021, after wetting the bed again, Jacob was forced to run laps and do pushups. When he expressed fatigue, he was beaten, leading to his collapse.
After a four-hour delay, Thompson and Beard called 911. Paramedics transported Jacob to a hospital, where he ultimately died from brain swelling.
Jacob had significant bruising, a broken arm, and severe head trauma. A neighbor witnessed Thompson screaming while holding Jacob, who showed no signs of life.
Henry County District Attorney Darius Pattillo described the event as a terrible crime. He stated that a child’s life was taken by those meant to protect him.