03/16/16   Cody Paul Williams Charges Dropped To Manslaughter

Thirty-four-year-old Cody Paul Williams of Fordyce has been charged in Circuit Court in Dallas County with manslaughter and a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecuting Attorney David Butler filed the charges last Wednesday.

On January 12, the Dallas County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call in reference to a shooting at 184 Dallas 115, the home of Paul Williams. When deputy sheriff Keith Axsom arrived on the scene Williams directed him to a red Jeep Cherokee. Inside he found the body of Terry Smith, who had been shot in the legs and had apparently bled out from the wounds.

Following the shooting Cody Williams took his mother's vehicle and fled the scene. He was later apprehended in Fordyce. Williams was not in possession of the weapon used in the shooting at the time of his arrest. An extensive search on country roads near where the shooting occurred was conducted by deputies but to no avail. However, the 20 gauge shotgun used in the shooting was later turned in to the Dallas County Sheriff's office.

Williams was originally charged with 1^st degree murder but those charges have been dropped to manslaughter. Williams remains behind bars at the Dallas County Detention Center on $100,000.00 bond.