Bay County Jail’s longest-serving inmate sentenced for 2016 murder

BAY CITY, MI — More than four years ago, a teen choked and stabbed a Bay City man to death, then set his home on fire on Thanksgiving morning in hopes of concealing his crime.

Now an adult, the convicted killer has learned his prison sentence.

And while his victim’s grief-stricken brother expressed a desire for the young killer to be sexually assaulted in prison and despair to the point he ends his own life, the sentencing judge offered the defendant empathy and words of encouragement.

Rodrick D. Williams appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran for sentencing on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 16.

A jury in May 2018 found Williams guilty of second-degree murder, felony murder, larceny in a building, armed robbery, and carjacking in the death of 59-year-old Steven A. Bouza, killed inside his home at 205 18th St. on the night of Nov. 22, 2016.

Williams was 16 at the time of the murder and 17 when the jury convicted him. Williams turned 21 on Jan. 17 and has been in police custody since officers arrested him on Nov. 30, 2016.

Initially held at the Bay County Juvenile Home, Williams was transferred to the Bay County Jail on Jan. 18, 2017, making him the longest-serving inmate currently in the facility, according to Jail Administrator Capt. Troy A. Stewart.

The lengthy delay between Williams’ conviction and looming sentence stems from his young age when he committed the murder.

In Michigan, a felony murder conviction comes with a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. However, the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 ruled such a punishment for juvenile convicts is unconstitutional. The nation’s highest court in 2016 clarified the decision was retroactive, affecting current prisoners.

The prosecution and defense agreed to postpone Williams’ sentencing until they received guidance from the Michigan Supreme Court and the state Legislature, both of which have enacted laws and procedures. In the years since his conviction, Williams has repeatedly waived his right to be sentenced within a year of his conviction. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic further delayed Williams’ sentencing.

Before handing down his sentence, Sheeran allowed Williams to speak.

“I lay awake every night thinking of Mr. Bouza and how terrible his family might feel,” Williams said. “I would like to say I am sorry to the victim’s family for the horrendous tragedy that has took place. And also sorry to my family for putting them through this emotional wreck as well, because I know they had high expectations for me and I really, really tried to keep up with those expectations by going to school, getting out of the foster care system, and becoming a great role model to my siblings, but it is hard when the odds are against you.”

He went on to say he wanted to pave his own future and become a U.S. Navy SEAL. He said he now plans to spend his time in prison earning a GED and taking business management classes.

“If I am blessed with the opportunity to come home, I can start my own business and become a productive member of society,” Williams said.

Two of Steven Bouza’s siblings then spoke. The first, brother Mike Bouza, eulogized his brother, lauding his inherent kindness.

“One of his special characteristics was his generosity, how he had a kind and caring heart, how he genuinely cared for other people and did whatever he could to help that person cope with the struggles they were enduring,” he said. “His calm demeanor provided a sense of comfort to you when you were in his presence. He had a unique ability to recognize when someone needed a friend, young or old. He could sense when a person felt alone and defeated. He offered hope, a shoulder to lean on and, many times, some type of gift to help them out.”

He described his brother’s killing as “an unprovoked, senseless, needless, calculated, well-thought-out, cold-blooded, premeditated murder, plain and simple.” He further stated his attitude toward Williams was one of vengeance.

“The living hell that awaits him in prison, he deserves,” Mike Bouza said. “He has no traits to contribute to society.”

Sister Laura L. Krueger similarly memorialized her deceased brother’s giving and compassionate nature.

“My brother Steve was simply the best person I’ve ever known,” she said. “I was blessed and honored to have had him for my brother. He was someone I often called upon for help, advice, or support, and he never let me down. He always made time for me and anybody else who needed him. I miss him terribly and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.”

Krueger asked the judge to hand down the maximum sentence allowable.

Defense attorney Andrea J. LaBean asked the judge to consider Williams was a minor when he committed the crime, while codefendant Demarckeon M. “Marcus” Jackson was an adult. Jackson, 24, is currently incarcerated at Carson City Correctional Facility. His earliest possible release date is Nov. 30, 2051; his maximum release date is Nov. 30, 2076.

“I think that a good question would be, ‘But for the codefendant, would this have ever happened?’ I think the answer is no,” LaBean said.

Bay County Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko also asked for Williams to receive the maximum sentence.

“I am done talking about the defendant,” she said. “Steven Bouza is the victim. Steven Bouza was a son, he was a brother, an uncle, and he was a friend. His mother can’t call him up when she needs something. His siblings can’t share their joys and their sorrows of their lives and there will be more inviting Steven over for birthdays and holidays and weddings. The loss of Steven Bouza is truly profound.”

Judge Sheeran sentenced Williams to 35 to 60 years on the felony murder conviction, which was merged with the second-degree murder conviction. He sentenced him to concurrent terms of 32 months to five years and two stints of 20 to 30 years.

Sheeran gave Williams credit for 1,538 days already served in the county jail.

Before Williams was led from the courtroom, Sheeran condemned Williams’ crime.

“Human life is precious; that’s what makes the crime of murder so horrible,” he said. “The victim in this case, from everything I heard, was a kind, generous person who went out of his way to help people in need. He was repaid by being senselessly killed. This crime was particularly heinous because it was done without any provocation, without any reason that makes any kind of sense at all.”

Sheeran then said he wanted to disassociate himself from some of Mike Bouza’s comments, instead offering compassion to Williams.

“You’re not an animal, not anything near that,” he told Williams. “You should not be harmed while you’re in custody. You should not end your own life. Your life is precious. What you should do is make the most of your life. You’re young and you can make something of your life yet. There will be many opportunities for you to be kind to people and to try in some way to make up for what you’ve done here.

“Do not listen to those words about you being worthless,” he continued. “They’re not true. I understand where they’re coming from, from someone who suffered an unspeakable loss.”

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