BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — A Burleigh County District Court Judge sentenced 29-year-old Benjamin Williams to life in prison without parole on Thursday, July 11, for the murder of 39-year-old Christopher Sebastian.

Williams was convicted in April for the October 2022 shooting death of Sebastian.

On October 4, 2022, officers found Sebastian in his car with a fatal gunshot wound to his head. Upon investigation, officers arrested and charged Williams with murder.

During the sentencing, Sebastian’s cousin, Joni Anderson, told the court of how much Christopher’s life meant to her.

“I wish I was able to quantify what Chris’s death means to us, but I find myself at a loss for words. I know there is no way to replace him and now all our could-have-beens are never-will-bes,” expressed Anderson.

Williams refused to make any statements upon his sentencing and the Judge told him that he does have the right to appeal the sentence.

His attorneys had requested a sentence of life with parole, but that was denied by the Judge’s sentence.

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