By LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / May 12, 1999

EDGARD – Ronald Williams pled guilty Tuesday to being a principal to the first-degree murder of Joann Edler.

He accepted a life sentence and agreed to testify against co-defendant Glynn Juniors in his January 2000 trial.

Fortieth Judicial District Judge J. Sterling Snowdy said Williams accepteda life sentence at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

In exchange, Williams, 31, will turn state’s evidence toward the prosecution of Glynn Juniors, 31, in his trial, scheduled Jan. 3, 2000.The 10-minute hearing was “very somber but not emotional,” Snowdy commented. Junior’s attorney, Robert Pastor, was present, as wasprosecutor George Ann Graugnard and the Edler family.

Snowdy added Williams will also accept the same agreement in the 23rd Judicial District Court as regards the Albert Robinson murder in Convent.

Joann Edler was slain Dec. 22, 1997 at BRS Seafood in LaPlace. Robinson,43, of Gonzales, was killed Nov. 19, 1997 at Fleet Boats Inc. in Convent,and John Jackson was the victim of an attempted murder in that same incident.

Juniors and Williams were captured Jan. 6, 1998, when they attempted torob the In-and-Out Food Store in Reserve. Their weapon, however, misfiredand they were captured within five minutes by St. John Parish deputies.Williams and Juniors had earlier served time together for armed robbery, Williams arrested in November 1985 and Juniors arrested in June 1986.

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