An inmate already on death row for stabbing a pregnant woman to death 24 years ago will be charged anew this time for a related crime leading to the death of the child the woman was then carrying.
Ronnie Keith Williams attacked his victim, then 18-year-old Lisa Dyke, while she was babysitting a friend’s child in Wilton Manors, Fla., in 1993.
Dyke’s son was stillborn two days after her death by Caesarean section. He was named Julius Dyke. Unfortunately, the stabbing incident that killed his mother also adversely affected him. He suffered brain damage from his mother’s injuries. He was permanently confined to his bed. He was never able to walk or talk and ate out of a feeding tube.
Julius lived to be until he was 23. He died last year. His death was ruled a homicide in connection to the stabbing. Prosecutors said because of that, Williams will be charged with first-degree murder in his death.
All throughout his young life from the time he was born and with his mother gone, Julius was loved and taken cared of by his grandmother, Lisa’s mother. The grandmother- Margaret Dyke- became emotional when prosecutors informed her that a grand jury found probable cause to file charges against Williams for Julius’ death.
Margaret cried as she said: “Oh my Julius, my love.” The grandmother said she loved Julius so much because her grandson was her all she had left of her daughter Lisa.
The grandmother’s longing for her grandson continues. She shared: “I miss him dearly. I thirst for him like I thirst for water. Now, I truly miss my daughter because the only part of her has gone on with her.”
Williams was found guilty of Lisa’s murder in 2004. The same jury decided to impose the death penalty for him, voting 10-2. In 2016, however, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that for the death penalty to be imposed, the unanimous support of the jury is required.
A spokeswoman for Broward County said that prosecutors will continue seeking the death penalty for Lisa Dyke’s murder. She said they are not certain yet if they will also seek the same for Julius’ death.
Margaret continues to stress how grave Williams’ sins against her saying he “took two innocent lives, and completely destroyed mine.”
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